IBM and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC) have announced a landmark plan to establish America’s first dedicated quantum chip foundry, a move designed to accelerate U.S. leadership in quantum computing and strengthen the nation’s technological and economic competitiveness. The initiative is supported by a proposed $1 billion CHIPS Act award, with IBM committing an additional $1 billion in cash, intellectual property, and specialized talent to launch a new standalone company, Anderon.
The foundry, to be headquartered in Albany, New York, will operate as a state‑of‑the‑art 300‑millimeter quantum wafer facility. It is expected to become the anchor of a national quantum manufacturing ecosystem, enabling U.S. companies to produce advanced quantum wafers at scale. The global quantum industry is projected to generate up to $850 billion in economic value by 2040, underscoring the strategic importance of domestic manufacturing capacity.
The Letter of Intent between IBM and the DoC reflects IBM’s decades‑long leadership in quantum computing and wafer fabrication. IBM has already demonstrated scalable quantum wafer technology, providing a clear path toward commercialization. As a pure‑play quantum foundry, Anderon will supply wafers to multiple quantum hardware vendors, supporting superconducting qubits initially and expanding into additional quantum modalities over time.
U.S. officials emphasized the national security and economic significance of the investment. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the CHIPS R&D incentives will “lead the world into a new era of American innovation,” while strengthening domestic capabilities and creating high‑value jobs. Bill Frauenhofer, Executive Director of Semiconductor Investment and Innovation, highlighted the role of quantum computing in defense, materials science, biopharmaceuticals, and energy systems.
IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna noted that the partnership positions the United States to maintain global leadership in quantum hardware development. He said Anderon will leverage IBM’s fabrication expertise to build a secure, U.S.‑based supply of quantum wafers, enabling rapid iteration and scalable production.
IBM currently operates more than 90 quantum systems worldwide and collaborates with over 325 organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, universities, and government agencies. The launch of Anderon remains subject to final agreement between IBM and the DoC.
