Replicating the Intel Model? Trump Administration Reportedly in Talks to Take Stakes in Quantum Computing Companies

① According to informed sources, multiple U.S. quantum computing companies are currently in talks with the U.S. Department of Commerce, planning to replicate the previous "Intel model"—exchanging equity for federal funding support; ② Industry insiders stated that funding and taking stakes in quantum computing enterprises will undoubtedly become one of the first major signals of the Trump administration's support for this field.

According to informed sources, multiple U.S. quantum computing companies are currently in talks with the U.S. Department of Commerce, planning to replicate the previous "Intel model"—exchanging equity for federal funding support. This move indicates the Trump administration is expanding its intervention in key economic sectors.

It is reported that the quantum computing companies involved in these talks include IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, Quantum Computing Inc., and Atom Computing, among others. These companies are discussing allowing the U.S. government to become a shareholder as part of agreements to receive funding under the CHIPS and Science Act.

Such consultations are the latest example of the U.S. government's recent push to take stakes in companies. President Trump and Commerce Secretary Rutenberg have previously stated that, given the financial support and endorsement provided by taxpayer funds, the government should share in the companies' appreciation.

In August of this year, the U.S. government agreed to convert nearly $9 billion in previously allocated grants into equity, acquiring nearly a 10% stake in chip giant Intel. This arrangement made the government Intel's largest shareholder overnight.

Over the past few months, the U.S. Department of Energy has also reached similar agreements with a few U.S. rare earth material producers. A recent case might be that of Lithium Americas—last month, it was revealed that the U.S. government is exploring providing a loan and taking a stake in Lithium Americas to accelerate the development of the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada.