IonQ has agreed to acquire SkyWater Technology for $1.8 billion in a cash-and-stock deal, making SkyWater a wholly owned subsidiary while maintaining its merchant customer service. SkyWater is a Category 1A Trusted Foundry with DMEA accreditation. The acquisition is aimed at vertically integrating U.S. manufacturing to accelerate IonQ’s quantum roadmap, with plans to test a 200,000-qubit chip in 2028.
The deal values SkyWater at $1.8 billion, paid through a mix of cash and stock. SkyWater will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary, serving as a merchant foundry supplier. The acquisition is intended to secure manufacturing capacity and accelerate IonQ’s path to fault-tolerant quantum computing, expanding its quantum business into a full-stack platform.
IonQ and SkyWater executives highlighted the strategic importance of the acquisition, emphasizing the acceleration of IonQ’s quantum computing roadmap and the importance of domestic supply chain considerations in the quantum technology sector. The combined capabilities are expected to enable faster design-to-production cycles and earlier testing of larger-scale quantum systems.
SkyWater is known as the largest U.S.-based semiconductor foundry, specializing in foundational nodes and advanced packaging. Its technology-as-a-service model supports high-volume production and co-innovation, adding strategic relevance to IonQ’s federal business. The focus post-acquisition will be on continuity for customers while deepening technical integration.
SkyWater will continue operating as a merchant supplier after the acquisition, maintaining foundry integrity, customer access, and IP protections. The company’s CEO, Thomas Sonderman, will lead the subsidiary under the SkyWater name, reporting to IonQ’s CEO. The integration process will be phased and pragmatic, with a focus on customer continuity and technical advancements.
The acquisition originated from conversations last fall and evolved into a strategic combination to capitalize on synergies in R&D and packaging-intensive work. Both companies see the integration as crucial for advancing quantum technologies toward manufacturability. While financial details were not discussed in detail, IonQ expects to deliver revenue results above its full-year guidance.
SkyWater Technology Solutions is a U.S.-based specialty semiconductor foundry specializing in high-reliability integrated circuits. The company offers a turnkey model for development and manufacture using advanced processes on 200-millimeter wafers. SkyWater’s service offerings cater to various sectors requiring rigorous performance, quality, and traceability, supporting applications across aerospace, defense, automotive, and more.
Read more at Yahoo Finance: SkyWater Technology to Be Acquired by IonQ in $1.8B Deal to Build U.S. Quantum Chip Platform