IonQ Completes Strategic Acquisition of SkyWater Technology to Advance Quantum Computing Innovation
COLLEGE PARK, Md. & BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a global leader in quantum computing and quantum networking technologies, has officially completed its acquisition of SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT), the largest exclusively U.S.-based semiconductor foundry. The transaction marks a major milestone in IonQ’s long-term strategy to build an end-to-end quantum technology ecosystem by integrating semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, and quantum hardware development under one organization.
The acquisition significantly strengthens IonQ’s ability to design, manufacture, and commercialize next-generation quantum computing technologies while establishing a secure domestic supply chain capable of supporting the rapidly growing quantum industry. By combining IonQ’s expertise in quantum computing with SkyWater’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, the company aims to accelerate innovation across quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security applications.
Building a Vertically Integrated Quantum Ecosystem
As the quantum computing industry transitions from laboratory research to commercial deployment, demand is increasing for specialized manufacturing capabilities capable of producing highly advanced quantum hardware at scale.
IonQ’s acquisition of SkyWater represents a strategic investment in creating a vertically integrated quantum technology platform that encompasses every stage of development—from semiconductor fabrication and advanced chip packaging to system integration and commercial deployment.
According to IonQ, bringing these capabilities together under one organization will allow the company to accelerate product development, improve manufacturing efficiency, strengthen quality control, and support broader industry adoption of quantum technologies.
The acquisition also positions IonQ as both a technology innovator and a merchant supplier capable of supporting customers and partners across the wider quantum ecosystem.
Expanding Quantum Manufacturing Capabilities
IonQ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Niccolo de Masi described the acquisition as an important step toward realizing the company’s long-term vision of becoming a comprehensive quantum platform provider.
He explained that integrating SkyWater’s manufacturing expertise enables IonQ to expand beyond quantum computing systems into semiconductor fabrication, advanced packaging, and scalable manufacturing technologies essential for the future growth of the quantum industry.
According to de Masi, the company is investing across the entire quantum value chain—from foundry services and manufacturing to commercialization—creating infrastructure that will benefit not only IonQ’s own products but also the broader quantum ecosystem.
He emphasized that the company expects the acquisition to accelerate development across multiple quantum computing platforms while strengthening IonQ’s position as a trusted supplier of advanced quantum technologies.
Strengthening Domestic Supply Chains
One of the most significant advantages of the acquisition is the establishment of a fully domestic semiconductor supply chain supporting future generations of IonQ’s quantum computers.
Maintaining secure, U.S.-based design, fabrication, and packaging capabilities has become increasingly important as governments and technology companies seek resilient supply chains for strategically important technologies.
IonQ believes ownership of semiconductor manufacturing capabilities will provide greater control over product development while reducing dependence on external suppliers.
The integrated manufacturing model also supports the company’s semiconductor-based approach to designing future quantum processors capable of delivering higher performance, improved scalability, and more efficient production.
In addition to supporting quantum computing systems, the vertically integrated supply chain will enable development of secure quantum technologies for applications across land, sea, air, and space.
SkyWater Continues as a Trusted Foundry
Following completion of the transaction, SkyWater Technology will continue operating as a wholly owned subsidiary under its existing brand.
Thomas Sonderman, SkyWater’s Chief Executive Officer, will remain responsible for leading the subsidiary while reporting directly to IonQ CEO Niccolo de Masi.
Maintaining the SkyWater brand reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to serving its broad customer base across both commercial and government sectors.
SkyWater will continue providing its existing portfolio of Advanced Technology Services, wafer manufacturing, advanced semiconductor packaging, atomic clock technologies, and quantum interconnect solutions without interruption.
IonQ emphasized that SkyWater remains fully committed to supporting all of its semiconductor foundry customers while simultaneously expanding opportunities in emerging quantum markets.
Accelerating Quantum Chip Innovation
Thomas Sonderman described joining IonQ as a pivotal moment in SkyWater’s evolution.
He noted that SkyWater has already established itself as the preferred U.S. semiconductor manufacturing partner for advanced development programs serving both public and private sector organizations.
As quantum computing increasingly moves beyond research laboratories toward commercial production, Sonderman believes the combination of SkyWater’s semiconductor expertise with IonQ’s quantum technologies will accelerate engineering innovation for future generations of quantum chips.
The partnership is expected to improve manufacturing speed, increase precision, and support scalable production while maintaining the quality standards customers have come to expect.
Sonderman also emphasized that integrating with IonQ expands opportunities beyond semiconductor fabrication into quantum sensing, networking, and advanced quantum system development.
Supporting the Next Generation of Quantum Applications
The combined organization is positioned to support a broad range of emerging quantum technologies extending well beyond quantum computing.
IonQ’s expanding portfolio includes quantum networking, secure communications, quantum sensing, and advanced quantum software platforms designed for commercial and government applications.
These technologies have the potential to transform industries including pharmaceuticals, materials science, logistics, financial services, cybersecurity, telecommunications, aerospace, and national defense.
By integrating manufacturing capabilities directly into its business, IonQ expects to accelerate commercialization while improving production efficiency for increasingly sophisticated quantum systems.
Transaction Details
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, SkyWater shareholders are receiving $15.00 in cash along with 0.4883 shares of IonQ common stock for each SkyWater share held upon completion of the transaction.
The acquisition officially closed after receiving all required regulatory approvals and satisfying customary closing conditions.
IonQ announced that the combined company expects to report its second-quarter financial results following the close of U.S. markets on August 5, 2026.
The company also plans to host an Investor Day on September 8, 2026, where management is expected to provide additional details regarding strategic priorities, technology roadmaps, and integration plans.
About IonQ
IonQ has established itself as one of the world’s leading quantum computing companies, delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and cybersecurity.
Its latest quantum computer, IonQ Tempo, represents the newest generation of the company’s rapidly advancing hardware platform.
Previous generations of IonQ systems have enabled organizations including Amazon Web Services (AWS), AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA to significantly improve quantum computing performance while accelerating research in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics optimization, cybersecurity, and defense applications.
In 2025, IonQ achieved a world-leading 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, establishing a new benchmark for quantum computing performance and demonstrating continued progress toward building increasingly reliable and scalable quantum systems.
Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ maintains operations across the United States, Europe, Canada, and Asia, with facilities in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Its quantum computing services are available through major global cloud platforms, allowing organizations worldwide to access advanced quantum capabilities while supporting customers across terrestrial, maritime, aerospace, and defense sectors.
About SkyWater Technology
SkyWater Technology is the largest exclusively U.S.-based semiconductor foundry and a trusted manufacturing partner supporting both commercial customers and U.S. government defense programs.
Through its Technology as a Service (TaaS) model, the company helps innovators transform emerging technologies—including quantum computing, advanced semiconductors, and next-generation electronics—from research concepts into commercial products.
SkyWater operates advanced manufacturing facilities in Minnesota, Florida, and Texas, specializing in foundational semiconductor process technologies, advanced packaging, and secure manufacturing solutions.
As a Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) Category 1A Trusted Foundry, the company plays an important role in strengthening America’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, supporting critical infrastructure, improving supply chain resilience, and advancing long-term U.S. technology leadership.
Positioning for the Future of Quantum Computing
The completion of the SkyWater acquisition represents one of the most significant strategic moves in IonQ’s history. By combining world-class quantum computing expertise with secure domestic semiconductor manufacturing, the company is creating an integrated platform capable of accelerating innovation across the rapidly evolving quantum industry.
As governments, enterprises, and research institutions continue investing in quantum technologies, IonQ’s expanded capabilities position it to deliver advanced computing, networking, sensing, and security solutions at greater scale while strengthening the broader quantum ecosystem. The acquisition not only enhances IonQ’s manufacturing independence but also reinforces its ambition to become a leading global provider of end-to-end quantum technologies for the next generation of scientific discovery, industrial innovation, and national security applications.
Source link: https://www.businesswire.com/