DARPA QBI finalists revealed: six quantum approaches, up to $300M each through 2029
hardimanjames · x · 2026-10-08
DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative has entered its final round to decide who can build a useful quantum computer by 2033. Microsoft (topological) and PsiQuantum (photonic) were already in; the new finalists are IBM (superconducting), IonQ (trapped ions), Atom Computing (neutral atoms) and Diraq (silicon spin). IonQ, Atom Computing and Diraq can each receive up to $300M through 2029. Six finalists, six different qubit types — DARPA is deliberately diversifying rather than betting on one winner. IonQ is the only public pure-play quantum stock in the final round so far, with Quantinuum, QuEra and Xanadu still pending.
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