Atom Computing, a Boulder, Colorado-based developer of neutral-atom quantum computers, has finalized an agreement for up to $100 million in research and development funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce to accelerate development of fault-tolerant, utility-scale quantum computing systems. The award will support engineering, testing infrastructure, and supply chain collaboration as the company works to commercialize quantum computers capable of addressing complex computational problems.
The agreement follows a Letter of Intent announced earlier in 2026 and represents a federal investment in advancing commercially useful quantum computing technology.
Atom Computing is developing quantum processors using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms, an architecture designed to support large numbers of qubits.
Qubits are the fundamental information units used in quantum computing. Unlike conventional bits, quantum systems use properties of quantum mechanics to perform certain types of computation.
However, quantum computers face challenges involving errors, system stability, and the ability to scale hardware while preserving reliable operation.
Atom Computing is focused on developing systems that can address these limitations through logical qubits and quantum error correction.
Logical qubits use multiple physical qubits together to protect quantum information from errors, an important requirement for building fault-tolerant computing systems.
The company has demonstrated several technical milestones, including becoming the first to build a quantum computing platform with more than 1,000 qubits.
It also reported being the first neutral-atom company to demonstrate sub-threshold behavior using full, end-to-end quantum error correction across multiple rounds.
Sub-threshold behavior is an important indicator in quantum error correction because it demonstrates progress toward reducing logical error rates as additional protection is applied.
Atom Computing has also commercially offered a logical-qubit quantum computer.
In 2025, the company sold its first commercial on-premises quantum computer to QuNorth, a Nordic quantum initiative funded by EIFO and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
The Department of Commerce agreement will accelerate several areas of the company’s research and development strategy.
Atom Computing plans to develop more critical technologies internally, improving system performance, reliability, and vertical integration.
The company will also expand parallel engineering and testbed infrastructure to validate technical improvements more quickly and reduce product development timelines.
Additional funding will strengthen R&D collaboration with supply chain partners as Atom Computing prepares for manufacturing scale-up and future commercial growth.
The award follows Atom Computing’s selection as the only neutral-atom company to advance to Stage C of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative.
That program offers potential funding of up to $300 million.
The DARPA opportunity is separate from the Department of Commerce agreement and should not be treated as funding already received.
Atom Computing’s participation in both programs reflects growing federal interest in quantum computing technologies with potential applications in national security, scientific research, and economic competitiveness.
The company believes advances in system scale, quantum error correction, and hardware performance are moving the industry closer to practical applications.
Its technology could eventually support computational research involving complex scientific and industrial problems that are difficult for conventional systems.
The new agreement provides resources to accelerate that development and help transition quantum computing from laboratory demonstrations toward commercially deployable systems.
KEY QUOTE:
“Quantum computing is reaching a critical inflection point where scientific breakthroughs must rapidly translate into commercial reality. This $100 million contract enables us to aggressively scale the engineering required to bring fault-tolerant quantum computing to market and ensure the United States leads the transition into the utility-scale era.”
Dr. Ben Bloom, CEO And Founder Of Atom Computing
