January 29, 2026 /SemiMedia/ — Quantum computing company IonQ said it has agreed to acquire US-based chip manufacturer SkyWater Technology in a cash-and-stock transaction valuing the foundry at about $1.8 billion.

IonQ chief executive Niccolo de Masi said the acquisition would give the company access to a large domestic semiconductor foundry, helping speed up technology development and improve its appeal to customers in sensitive sectors such as defence. He added that IonQ aims to expand its customer base beyond government agencies to large enterprise clients.

SkyWater positions itself as a pure-play US foundry, focusing on chip manufacturing rather than design, in contrast to overseas competitors. IonQ said SkyWater’s manufacturing capacity and engineering capabilities could support both near-term development and longer-term production needs.

Industry observers said the deal reflects growing strategic interest in US-based semiconductor manufacturing, as supply chain security and domestic production become more important for advanced computing technologies.