Rigetti Signs Definitive Agreement for $100M with U.S. Government to Accelerate R&D for Superconducting Quantum Computing

BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rigetti Computing, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGTI) (“Rigetti” or the “Company”), a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Rigetti & Co, LLC, has signed a definitive agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce (the “Department”) for an award of $100 million in funding to accelerate superconducting quantum computing R&D.

The funding is allocated under the CHIPS Research and Development Office Broad Agency Announcement pursuant to the CHIPS Act.

Under this definitive agreement, Rigetti will pursue three R&D projects that aim to address major technical bottlenecks in scaling superconducting quantum computing and will accelerate the Company’s roadmap towards utility-scale quantum computing:

1. Compressing readout electronics into an integrated, miniaturized package
2. Expanding cryogenic capacity by orders of magnitude using a new cryostat architecture
3. Developing the fabrication capabilities for high-connectivity chip architectures
   

Quantum computing has tremendous promise to dramatically transform critical areas including cryptography, chemistry, materials science, mathematical optimization, and AI/machine learning. Governments worldwide are investing in this emerging technology given the national security and economic implications of quantum advantage.