What IonQ does

IonQ is a publicly traded (NYSE: IONQ) trapped-ion quantum computing company that designs, builds, and operates quantum systems alongside a full-stack software and cloud platform. Its current hardware portfolio spans the Aria (25-qubit), Forte, Forte Enterprise (36-qubit), and Tempo (100-qubit) systems, with reported two-qubit gate fidelities above 99.99% on the Forte class and a roadmap toward photonic-integrated chips via the Oxford Ionics acquisition. Beyond compute, IonQ has built adjacent product lines in quantum networking and key distribution (through ID Quantique and Qubitekk), quantum sensing (through Vector Atomic and Lightsynq), and space-based quantum capabilities (through Capella Space and pending Skyloom), positioning the company as a vertically integrated quantum platform rather than a single-modality hardware vendor.

The company monetizes through hardware sales, on-premise and colocation deployments, cloud access via AWS Braket, Azure Quantum, Google Cloud Marketplace, and the NVIDIA CUDA-Q platform, plus professional services and research collaborations. Customer mix spans enterprise (AstraZeneca, Hyundai, Airbus, Ansys, GE Research, AWS), US federal and defense (Air Force Research Lab $25.5M contract, DARPA HARQ, ARLIS), and international research and government institutions (KISTI, QuantumBasel, and partners in Romania and Slovakia). Roughly 60% of bookings are commercial and the balance skews to international and government work.

IonQ's revenue grew from approximately $130M in FY2025 to $64.7M in Q1 2026 alone (755% YoY), with FY2026 guidance of $260M-$270M and Remaining Performance Obligations of $470M (554% YoY). Capital structure is exceptionally well funded, with approximately $3.1B in cash following an October 2025 $2B equity raise, supporting a pending $1.8B SkyWater foundry acquisition and continued M&A activity. Business model risk remains that operating losses are still substantial relative to revenue and that significant execution is required to integrate eight announced or closed acquisitions.

Name

IonQ

Legal name

IonQ, Inc.

Website

https://ionq.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

College Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Quantum hardware sales: Sale of physical trapped-ion quantum systems (IonQ Tempo, Forte, Forte Enterprise, Aria) to enterprise and government customers, evidenced by deals with QuantumBasel, KISTI, EPB, and others; characterized as one-time/recurring depending on configuration.
2. Cloud quantum compute access: On-demand and reserved access to IonQ QPUs (Forte, Forte Enterprise, simulators) via IonQ Quantum Cloud and cloud marketplaces (AWS Braket, Azure, Google Cloud); volume-based pricing for production workloads.
3. Application development and consulting services: Professional services delivered by IonQ's Applications team covering quantum consulting, application roadmaps, custom algorithm development, and deployment support across multiple industries.
4. Government and defense contracts: Federal, defense, and national lab contracts including AFRL, DARPA, ARLIS, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, and Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS); described as a meaningful share of revenue.
5. Quantum networking and security products (QKD, ID Quantique): Sale and deployment of quantum key distribution (Clavis XG product line, Clarion KX) and quantum networking infrastructure to telecom operators, governments (e.g., Romania RoNaQCI, Slovakia, Florida LambdaRail), and enterprises.
6. Software subscriptions and SDK access: Subscription-style access to IonQ simulators, software tools, and SDKs (free tier plus paid tiers for production QPU access) available through the IonQ Quantum Cloud Console.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels5 records

Core offering

IonQ designs, builds, and sells trapped-ion quantum computing systems (Aria 25-qubit, Forte 36-qubit, Forte Enterprise 36-qubit, and the Tempo 100-qubit system) and operates a full-stack quantum platform that includes the IonQ Quantum Cloud, quantum networking, quantum key distribution (Clavis XG / Clarion KX), quantum sensing (Vector Atomic), and space-based SAR infrastructure (Capella Space). Customers access IonQ systems on-premise (hardware sale and installation) or on-demand through the IonQ Quantum Cloud, AWS Braket, Microsoft Azure Quantum, Google Cloud Marketplace, and NVIDIA's hybrid quantum-classical platform, supplemented by Quantum Application Services for industry-specific use cases in pharma, finance, logistics, defense, and AI.

Product overview

IonQ operates a platform-plus-modules architecture centred on a trapped-ion quantum computing core (Aria, Forte, Forte Enterprise, and the roadmap Tempo system), all accessed via the IonQ Quantum Cloud platform and partner clouds. On top of this core compute layer sit Quantum Application Services (industry verticals for finance, pharma, logistics, and generative AI / LLM fine-tuning), Quantum Networking (built from the Entangled Networks acquisition and the Lightsynq photonic-interconnect acquisition), Quantum Security (the Clavis XG QKD portfolio and Clarion KX post-quantum platform inherited from ID Quantique), Quantum Sensing (from the Vector Atomic acquisition), and Quantum Space (the Acadia-10 satellite and InSAR analytics from the Capella Space acquisition). Quantum Benchmarking is published as an overlay that measures algorithmic-qubit performance across IonQ and competing systems, framing the whole portfolio as a vertically integrated quantum technology stack spanning compute, networking, security, sensing, and space.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IonQ Quantum Cloud: Cloud-based access platform to IonQ quantum systems across major cloud providers and SDKs
• IonQ Aria
• IonQ Forte
• IonQ Forte Enterprise
• IonQ Tempo
• IonQ Federal
• IonQ Italy
• Clavis XG Multiplex

Products and services

• IonQ Aria
• IonQ Forte
• IonQ Forte Enterprise
• IonQ Tempo
• IonQ Quantum Cloud
• Quantum Application Services
• Quantum Networking
• Clavis XG QKD Portfolio
• Clavis XG Multiplex
• Clarion KX
• Acadia-10 Satellite
• InSAR Capability
• Quantum Benchmarking
• Vector Atomic Quantum Sensing Line

Quantifiable outcome

• 656x faster drug development simulations with AstraZeneca
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers31 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability10 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Amazon Braket (AWS)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationNative integration with AWS Braket allowing global customers to run quantum workloads on IonQ QPUs through the Amazon Braket SDK and console. Documented integration for Braket example code and marketplace access.
• Microsoft Azure QuantumflagshipTechnology or IntegrationIonQ hardware is available through Microsoft Azure Quantum, supporting Q# and QDK development environments. Documented Azure quickstart guides and integration with Azure Quantum.
• Google CloudflagshipTechnology or IntegrationIonQ systems are accessible via Google Cloud Marketplace; provisioning can be completed in approximately five minutes per the documented get-started guide.
• NvidiaflagshipTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Nvidia's accelerated quantum-classical computing systems; collaboration on CUDA-Q and hybrid quantum-AI workloads. Also partnered on the quantum-accelerated drug development case study with AstraZeneca.
• Dell TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to deliver hybrid classical-quantum solutions, with Dell (Bill Scannell) represented on the IonQ Board of Directors.
• Lockheed MartincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuantum funding and advisory relationship; partnership supports IonQ's work with defense and intelligence customers.
• General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership to develop quantum solutions for federal and defense customers; supports IonQ Federal market expansion.
• AccenturecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccenture-IonQ collaboration to accelerate quantum computing adoption into the enterprise, announced 2021 and ongoing.
• BearingPointminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation and consulting partner for European enterprise deployments.
• AstraZenecaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year collaboration on quantum-accelerated drug development with AWS and NVIDIA, achieving 656x faster simulations and 20x faster time-to-solution than prior published implementations.
• AnsysflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint demonstration of 12% performance improvement over classical computing in medical device design workflows; first proven case of quantum advantage in CAE.
• HyundaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint work on quantum machine learning image recognition for self-driving cars, plus a follow-on collaboration on advanced automotive materials using quantum-classical AI.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on quantum cargo loading optimization for aerospace logistics.
• DARPAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected for DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) and the Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ) program; collaborative work with AFRL on photonic interconnects.
• Q-CTRLcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to integrate Q-CTRL's Fire Opal quantum optimization software with IonQ Forte quantum processors for noise-robust quantum performance.
• imeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to increase the performance and scale of quantum computers using imec's photonic interconnect technology.
• Toyota TsushocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric agreement to advance quantum computing applications; supports IonQ expansion in Japan and Asia.
• EinridecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year partnership (begun May 2025) to apply quantum algorithms to optimize electric and autonomous freight for the Saga platform.
• IntellianminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU deepening IonQ's commitment to advancing South Korean quantum initiatives.
• PhasecraftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on quantum algorithms and applications development.
• Iceberg QuantumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuantum research and development collaboration.
• QuanscientminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on quantum simulation for engineering applications.
• Johnson MattheyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on quantum chemistry and materials applications.
• NKT PhotonicscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for next-generation laser technology used in IonQ trapped-ion systems.
• University of MarylandflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst-of-its-kind National Quantum Lab establishment; QLab collaboration on quantum networking research. Founding academic partnership for IonQ.
• Oxford IonicsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired by IonQ for approximately $1.075B in September 2025; brings Electronic Qubit Control technology and a 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity capability to IonQ's trapped-ion platform.
• SkyWater TechnologyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPending acquisition for approximately $1.8B to create a vertically integrated quantum platform; deal announced January 2026 and expected to close after regulatory approvals.
• Lightsynq TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired in 2024 to bring photonic interconnect and quantum memory technology; powers IonQ's demonstrated networked quantum systems using entanglement.
• ID QuantiqueflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAcquired in 2025; provides QKD product portfolio (Clavis XG Short Haul, Backbone, Long Haul, XG Hub and Spoke, XG Multiplex) and direct channel into Switzerland, Austria, and South Korea sovereign/telecom customers.
• Vector AtomicflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired to add quantum sensing capabilities (atomic clocks and sensors) for navigation, imaging, and resource discovery applications.
• Capella SpaceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired in May 2025; provides Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite platform integrated with Optical Communications Terminal for quantum-secure space infrastructure (Acadia-10 in LEO at 600km).
• Entangled NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired in January 2023; brings quantum networking technology to enhance quantum processor linking and multi-processor systems.
• ClassiqcoreTechnology or IntegrationCo-development with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile using Classiq's quantum software platform and IonQ trapped-ion QPUs for hybrid quantum-classical ML on biomedical image analysis.
• Horizon Quantum ComputingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deploy a 256-qubit IonQ trapped-ion system at Horizon Quantum's Dublin headquarters, backed by Ireland's National Semiconductor Strategy.
• Duke UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research with Duke Quantum Center demonstrating distributed tripartite entanglement across three-node quantum network using trapped barium-138 ions; 84.1–88.1% fidelity.
• U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Quantum Virtual LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIonQ is a partner company on NSF's National Quantum Virtual Laboratory design program alongside Boeing, Honeywell, NVIDIA, and Quantinuum.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• IBM Quantum: IBM's quantum computing division offers superconducting quantum hardware (Heron, Condor) accessible via IBM Cloud and Qiskit—the dominant enterprise platform in the category. Directly competes with IonQ for enterprise quantum cloud workloads, government contracts, and developer mind-share across the same pharma, finance, and defense customers.
• Quantinuum: Quantinuum (Honeywell/Cambridge Quantum merger) builds trapped-ion quantum systems (H-series, H2) and is the closest pure-play trapped-ion competitor. Competes head-to-head with IonQ on hardware architecture, fidelity benchmarks, and quantum chemistry/applications partnerships with enterprises and governments.
• Google Quantum AI: Google's Quantum AI lab develops superconducting quantum processors (Willow, Sycamore) and demonstrated below-threshold quantum error correction. Directly competes for technical leadership on qubit count, fidelity, and fault-tolerant milestones, while also providing Cirq as a competing SDK.
• Rigetti Computing: Rigetti builds superconducting quantum processors and offers them via Rigetti Quantum Cloud and AWS Braket. A direct hardware competitor in the cloud-accessible quantum compute category, particularly for hybrid classical-quantum workloads in optimization and machine learning.
• PsiQuantum: PsiQuantum is pursuing fault-tolerant quantum computing using a silicon photonic architecture and has raised over $940M from BlackRock, Microsoft, and others. Represents a longer-horizon competitor targeting utility-scale systems that could leapfrog IonQ's trapped-ion roadmap if photonic scaling succeeds.
• D-Wave Quantum: D-Wave commercially sells quantum annealing systems (Advantage, Advantage2) targeting optimization problems. While architecturally distinct, D-Wave competes for the same enterprise quantum budget and serves overlapping customers in logistics, finance, and government research.

Emerging players

• Pasqal: Pasqal builds neutral-atom quantum processors and has secured commercial pilots with Airbus, BMW, and energy customers. Competes with IonQ on hardware scalability and on enterprise access to a different quantum modality targeting similar optimization and simulation workloads.
• QuEra Computing: QuEra develops neutral-atom quantum computers (Aquila, Gemini) with research partnerships at Harvard, MIT, and NIST. Competes in the broader quantum hardware category, particularly for analog quantum simulation and emerging digital fault-tolerant approaches.
• Atom Computing: Atom Computing builds neutral-atom quantum systems and was the first to claim a 1,000+ qubit processor (Phoenix). Represents a modality competitor that could compete for the same enterprise/government customers as IonQ if neutral-atom scaling proves commercially viable.

Broad incumbents

• Microsoft Azure Quantum: Microsoft Azure Quantum aggregates IonQ, Quantinuum, Rigetti, and others on its cloud platform. While not a direct hardware competitor, Azure Quantum is both a major distribution channel for IonQ and a competitive ecosystem owner whose Q# / QDK stack competes for developer mind-share.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/ionq-publications/apps-benchmark
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ionq
• Xx.com/IonQ_Inc
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds10 records

Investors27 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A10 records

Investments9 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IonQ