IBM: plans to invest more than $10B in quantum over next 5 yrs

IBM has announced plans to invest more than $10 billion in quantum computing over the next five years, signaling a major commitment to advancing the technology and solidifying the United States' position in the global quantum race. The investment includes a $1 billion CHIPS incentive from the U.S. Department of Commerce and an additional $1 billion in cash from IBM itself for its new quantum wafer foundry, Anderon. This initiative is part of a broader $2 billion federal investment in American quantum computing firms, with IBM receiving the largest share.

Anderon, headquartered in Albany, New York, will operate as a 300-millimeter quantum wafer foundry and is expected to manufacture quantum chips for both IBM and other quantum technology vendors. The company will leverage IBM’s expertise in silicon wafer fabrication and quantum research to develop scalable quantum technologies. IBM has already deployed over 90 quantum systems and has a global client base spanning Fortune 500 companies, startups, and government agencies.

The investment aligns with IBM’s long-term vision to deliver large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029. The company estimates that quantum computing could generate up to $850 billion in economic value by 2040, while other industry analyses suggest that four key sectors could gain up to $1.3 trillion in value by 2035.

The U.S. government’s investment under the CHIPS and Science Act also supports smaller quantum firms such as D-Wave Quantum and Rigetti Computing, each of which will receive up to $100 million in exchange for equity. The funding is expected to accelerate the development of quantum hardware and software, with potential applications in optimization, simulation, and cybersecurity.

While quantum computing remains in its early stages, the technology’s potential to solve complex problems across industries is driving significant public and private investment. IBM’s strategic move to establish Anderon underscores its leadership in quantum research and manufacturing, as well as its commitment to fostering a robust quantum ecosystem in the United States.