Quantum Computing News: GlobalFoundries Eyes $300M U.S. Award as IonQ Nears SkyWater Deal

Welcome to Thursday's quantum update. The latest developments include a potential $300 million U.S. award for GlobalFoundries, plans for an Israeli quantum R&D center, final approval for IonQ's SkyWater acquisition, a calibration partnership between Horizon Quantum and Quantum Machines, and leadership changes at Quantum Computing Inc. and Quantinuum.

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1. GlobalFoundries Lines Up $300 Million for Advanced Photonics

We begin with GlobalFoundries Inc. (GFS), a U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer, which signed a letter of intent with the U.S. Department of Commerce for a potential $300 million CHIPS R&D award. The funding would support silicon photonics, new optical materials, wafer technologies, and advanced packaging used to move data between AI and high-performance computing systems.

GlobalFoundries plans to build on its SCALE platform, which targets 400-gigabit-per-second performance and five times the energy efficiency of current implementations. In a separate agreement, the Commerce Department will receive an equity stake representing about 1% of the company. The award could strengthen GlobalFoundries' role in AI infrastructure, but investors will need more detail on the project's timing, required company spending, and eventual revenue contribution.

2. Israel Plans Shared Quantum Testing Center

Israel is planning a national quantum computing R&D center where domestic companies can integrate and test processors, controllers, software, and algorithms. Israel Innovation Authority CEO Dror Bin said the goal is not to build a government-owned quantum computer, but to provide a shared environment where companies can benchmark complete technology stacks. The strategy fits Israel's focus on supplying specialized components to larger global quantum systems rather than competing directly with companies building full-scale machines.

Bin said Israeli firms received about 10% of global private investment in early-stage quantum computing companies during 2025. The center's value will depend on whether it helps startups move from individual technologies to commercially tested systems, though no opening date, budget, or funding structure was provided.

3. IonQ Gets Final Approval for SkyWater Acquisition

IonQ Inc. (IONQ), a developer of trapped-ion quantum computers, received final regulatory approval to acquire SkyWater Technology, with the deal expected to close on July 31. SkyWater operates the largest U.S.-based semiconductor foundry, giving IonQ direct control over part of its chip manufacturing and reducing its reliance on outside suppliers. SkyWater will continue serving existing customers under its current name as an IonQ subsidiary. Owning a foundry could help IonQ speed hardware development and protect its domestic supply chain, but it also adds a capital-intensive manufacturing business to the company.

4. Horizon and Quantum Machines Target Quantum System Downtime

Horizon Quantum Computing (HQ), a quantum software infrastructure developer, is working with Israeli privately held Quantum Machines to build calibration tools that can run while quantum hardware remains in operation. The companies will test the technology on Horizon's Ember-1 superconducting system using Quantum Machines' OPX1000 control platform. Quantum processors require frequent calibration, and those procedures can take systems offline as the number of qubits and control parameters grows.

The partnership aims to replace disruptive full-system calibration sessions with smaller, continuous adjustments. For Horizon, the near-term benefit would be higher availability for users accessing Ember-1 through its Triple Alpha development platform. The announcement does not include financial terms, so the main point to watch is whether the work produces a commercial feature that improves customer access rather than remaining an R&D demonstration.

5. QCi and Quantinuum Add Commercial and Operational Leaders

We end with management changes at two quantum companies. Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT), a photonics and semiconductor technology company, appointed Susan Hunt as Chief Revenue Officer after more than 30 years in enterprise sales at companies including Salesforce, LivePerson, and Nuance Communications. Former revenue chief Pouya Dianat will move into the new role of Chief Product Officer, overseeing product strategy and commercialization. Quantinuum Inc. (QNT), a developer of quantum computing hardware and software, separately named Robin Schulman as Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary and Rory O'Byrne as Chief People Officer.

QCi's changes are more directly tied to the investment case because they place separate executives over product development and revenue generation. The next test is whether that structure helps convert QCi's photonics and foundry assets into signed customers and reported sales.

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