IBM and DoC Commit $2 Billion to New Quantum Wafer Foundry

A 1 billion CHIPS incentive from the U.S. Department of Commerce and a 1 billion contribution from IBM will establish Anderon, a new company in Albany, New York, focused on quantum chip manufacturing. The initiative combines the CHIPS incentive with IBM’s financial commitment, intellectual property, and workforce expertise to produce 300-millimeter quantum wafers, indicating a move toward commercially viable manufacturing. This commitment aims to strengthen U.S. leadership in the growing quantum industry, which is estimated to generate up to 850 billion in economic value. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said that these CHIPS Research and Development investments in quantum computing will build on the domestic industry, creating thousands of high-paying American jobs and advancing American quantum capabilities.

1 Billion CHIPS Award Fuels Anderon Quantum Foundry Creation

A 1 billion CHIPS incentive and a 1 billion contribution from IBM are establishing Anderon, a new American company focused exclusively on quantum chip manufacturing, signaling a decisive push to secure domestic leadership in this emerging technology. The U.S. Department of Commerce will provide up to 1 billion through the CHIPS Act, matched by an equivalent commitment from IBM, to fund the creation of a dedicated quantum foundry. This initiative focuses on building a scalable, commercially viable supply chain for quantum wafers within the United States. Central to Anderon’s strategy is the production of 300-millimeter quantum wafers in a new facility located in Albany, New York. This wafer size represents a significant step towards mass production capabilities, moving beyond experimental chips to a format compatible with existing semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure.

IBM has already developed and tested scalable quantum wafer technology, offering a clear pathway to commercialization, and will contribute substantial intellectual property and a skilled workforce to the new venture. The company intends for Anderon to serve multiple quantum technology vendors globally, functioning as a foundry. This will create a U.S.-based supply chain for critical hardware components.

IBM and DoC Partnership Secures U.S. Quantum Leadership

The race to build commercially viable quantum computers is intensifying, with a new focus shifting from basic research toward scalable manufacturing capabilities. While numerous companies and nations are investing in quantum technologies, a recently announced partnership between IBM and the U.S. Department of Commerce aims to establish a domestic supply chain for quantum chips. This collaboration focuses on creating a dedicated quantum foundry, Anderon, designed to serve a broad range of quantum hardware developers. A key element of this strategy centers on the production of 300-millimeter quantum wafers, a significant increase in size compared to existing prototypes and a move towards the standardized manufacturing processes necessary for mass production. IBM will contribute 1 billion in cash alongside substantial intellectual property and expertise, supported by a 1 billion CHIPS incentive from the Department of Commerce.

Anderon, headquartered in Albany, New York, will initially focus on superconducting qubit wafers and supporting electronics, with plans to expand into other quantum modalities. Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, stated that with the support of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Anderon will be well-positioned to fuel America’s fast-growing quantum technology industry. The company intends to leverage IBM’s existing fabrication tools and talent to ensure a secure, domestic supply of these critical components for both IBM and other hardware vendors.

Anderon’s 300-Millimeter Wafer Fabrication for Quantum Technologies

The establishment of Anderon, a new company headquartered in Albany, New York, signals a determined effort to scale quantum chip manufacturing beyond research labs and into commercial production. While many organizations are pursuing quantum computing, Anderon distinguishes itself as a quantum foundry, focusing solely on wafer fabrication for a variety of clients. This specialization is supported by separate contributions: a 1 billion CHIPS incentive from the U.S. Department of Commerce and a 1 billion contribution from IBM. According to company representatives, their work in silicon wafer fabrication has been key to IBM’s success and will be critical to enable a broader quantum technology landscape that will reshape global innovation and economic competitiveness. The company plans to initially support superconducting qubit and supporting electronics wafers, with future expansion into other quantum modalities. Beyond simply creating wafers, Anderon intends to function as an anchor for a national ecosystem, ensuring a secure, U.S.-based supply chain for quantum hardware.

Quantum Computing Potential: 850 Billion Economic Value Projected

The anticipated economic impact of quantum computing is rapidly becoming clearer, with projections now estimating a potential value of up to 850 billion for the growing industry. This figure underpins a significant financial commitment from the U.S. Department of Commerce, providing a 1 billion CHIPS incentive, and a $1 billion contribution from IBM to establish Anderon, a new company designed as America’s first quantum foundry. Beyond research funding, the initiative aims to secure domestic manufacturing capabilities and position the United States as a central hub for quantum wafer production. Central to this strategy is the fabrication of 300-millimeter quantum wafers at Anderon’s Albany, New York facility. This wafer size signals a deliberate move towards scalable and commercially viable quantum chip manufacturing, exceeding earlier experimental scales and indicating a focus on mass production potential.

IBM’s existing expertise in silicon wafer fabrication, honed over decades, will be critical in establishing a secure U.S.-based supply chain for these advanced components. The company has already deployed over 90 quantum systems, surpassing the combined total of all other industry players, and boasts a client base of over 325 Fortune 500 companies actively utilizing its quantum computing fleet.