Jan 26 (Reuters) – Quantum computing company IonQ (IONQ) said on Monday it would acquire chipmaker SkyWater Technology (SKYT) for about $1.8 billion, in a deal that will bring semiconductor manufacturing in-house and boost the development of its next-generation quantum processors.
The cash and stock transaction will allow IonQ to secure its supply chain by controlling its own chip production, ensuring a stable supply of advanced technology as it expands efforts to support the federal and defense sectors.
IonQ shares were up about 2% in premarket trading, while SkyWater shares were up more than 8%.
By acquiring its own manufacturing facilities and gaining embedded access to trusted U.S. foundries, IonQ will be able to begin testing its planned 200,000-qubit chips in 2028, earlier than previously expected, the company said. In quantum computing, qubits are the basic units of information.
SkyWater, a U.S. semiconductor foundry with operations in Minnesota, Florida and Texas, will use the facilities as IonQ’s quantum production hub, the companies said.
SkyWater shareholders will receive $15 in cash and $20 in IonQ stock for each SkyWater share, a premium of nearly 12% over SkyWater’s last closing price.
The transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2026, after which SkyWater will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary and continue to be led by CEO Thomas Sonderman, who will report to IonQ CEO Niccolo de Masi.
The subsidiary will continue to provide wafer services, advanced packaging and specialized components such as atomic clocks to its existing aerospace, defense and commercial customers.
IonQ also said it expects full-year 2025 revenue to be at the high end or above its previously announced forecast of $106 million to $110 million.
(Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)