Intel has agreed to acquire quantum software pioneer Classiq in a deal reportedly worth $2.3 billion, which would make it the biggest acquisition in the history of the quantum sector.
It’s a big deal in dollars, but also in significance, as Intel has never been viewed as much of a quantum frontrunner–or at least somewhere well behind Nvidia among traditional chip giants getting involved in the industry. It has done a lot of research into silicon spin qubits, partnered with a few companies, and invested in Quantum Machines in early 2025, and has always seemed to be on the verge of some bigger play. But, executive changes, restructuring, and its efforts to build up its foundry business in recent years, have left quantum on a back burner.
Now, the Classiq deal puts quantum on the front burner with the heat turned up all the way. The six-year-old Israeli company has been a leader in quantum operating system and compiler software from early on, and has not been shy about saying it wants to become “the Microsoft of quantum.” Intel said in a press release that this acquisition will help it “create a user-friendly full-stack quantum computing platform.”
More from the release: “The proposed acquisition of Classiq would combine Intel’s quantum software platform, scalable silicon spin-qubit technology and advanced semiconductor manufacturing expertise with Classiq’s automated quantum algorithm synthesis platform. The combination would enable Intel to become a full-stack quantum solutions provider, while also allowing the company to add Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) to its already diverse compute platform portfolio spanning Central Processing Units (CPUs), Graphical Processing Units (GPUs) and application-specific integrated circuit (ASICs).”
To date, most of Intel’s QPU work has revolved around the Tunnel Falls research chip and Horse Ridge cryogenic control chip, so this statement implies a bigger QPU move to come. Notably, acquiring Classiq also reportedly will triple the size of Intel’s current quantum team, adding Classiq’s 140-employee workforce to Intel’s current quantum squad of about 70 people, according to a CTECH report.
As for Classiq, it has raised more than $200 million in total funding over the years. Its software has been used by everyone from quantum computer hardware developers (IBM, IonQ) to cloud giants (Google, Amazon, Microsoft), industrial household names (BMW, NTT DoCoMo) error mitigation specialists, and other software firms (Q-CTRL, ParityQC, Carahsoft).
Most intriguing among Classiq’s relationships, given the Intel acquisition, are its affiliations with Intel competitors: Nvidia is a longtime partner and supporter, and AMD and Qualcomm both invested in Classiq late last year. It will be interesting to see how these relationships continue to develop, though it is worth noting that these companies compete in some areas, but partner in others. Intel, for example, manufactures data center chips for Nvidia, and Nvidia even invested in Intel last year when Intel was seen as struggling in its comeback bid.
“I am delighted to have Nir, Yehuda, Amir [Classiq’s founders] and the entire Classiq team join Intel,” said Lip-Bu Tan, chief executive officer, Intel. “For more than a decade, Intel has made remarkable progress in quantum computing by applying its semiconductor innovation, advanced manufacturing prowess and systems engineering expertise to the development of scalable silicon spin-qubit technology. Joining forces with Classiq transforms Intel’s Quantum Computing Group into a full-stack quantum computing business.”
“Since our founding, Classiq has focused on making quantum computing practical and accessible by enabling developers, researchers and enterprises to create scalable quantum applications without requiring deep expertise in quantum circuit design,” said Nir Minerbi, co-founder and chief executive officer, Classiq. “Together, Intel and Classiq can help unlock the benefits of quantum computing and accelerate its adoption sooner.”
The acquisition is scheduled to close in the first half of 2027.
Image source: Intel
Quantum News Nexus is a site from freelance writer and editor Dan O’Shea that covers quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum networking, quantum-safe security, and more. You can find him on X @QuantumNewsGuy and doshea14@gmail.com.
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