Several leading U.S. quantum computing companies are reportedly in advanced discussions with the Commerce Department to offer equity stakes in exchange for federal funding, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The talks signal a significant expansion of Washington’s efforts to secure influence in emerging technologies deemed critical to national competitiveness.
Among the companies engaged in these negotiations are IONQ (NYSE:IONQ), Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ:RGTI), and D-Wave Quantum Inc (NYSE:QBTS). In addition, Quantum Computing Inc (NASDAQ:QUBT) and Atom Computing are also exploring similar arrangements. Each firm is said to be seeking a minimum of $10 million in government investment to advance their research and development programs.
The proposed deals reflect a growing strategy by the Trump administration to convert federal grants into ownership positions within strategic sectors. Notably, the U.S. government recently acquired nearly a 10% stake in Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) by converting about $9 billion in grants into equity—a move that underscores Washington’s evolving approach to industrial policy.
Deputy Commerce Secretary Paul Dabbar is reportedly leading the ongoing discussions. If finalized, these agreements would represent one of the federal government’s first direct investments in quantum computing, a field expected to revolutionize industries such as materials science, chemistry, and drug discovery.
As competition intensifies globally—particularly with China’s accelerated quantum initiatives—the U.S. is seeking to strengthen domestic innovation pipelines. The potential partnerships could provide both financial stability and strategic oversight, positioning America as a global leader in quantum technology development. The talks highlight Washington’s increasing willingness to intertwine public capital with private innovation in pursuit of technological dominance.