Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire quantum computing software company Classiq, a move aimed at combining quantum hardware development with software that simplifies the design and deployment of quantum applications.
The proposed acquisition would bring Classiq’s automated quantum algorithm synthesis platform together with Intel’s silicon spin-qubit technology, semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and existing quantum software. The companies aim to create a full-stack quantum computing platform that makes the technology more accessible to developers, researchers and enterprises.
Intel expects the transaction to close in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Until completion, both companies will continue operating independently.
Intel Seeks to Expand Quantum Computing Business
Intel has invested in quantum computing since 2015, focusing on silicon spin-qubit technology and the manufacturing systems needed to scale quantum processors. The company has also developed cryogenic control electronics designed to operate alongside quantum hardware.
The acquisition would expand these capabilities by adding software that automates the translation of high-level quantum programs into executable quantum circuits.
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan said the combination would transform the company’s Quantum Computing Group into a full-stack quantum computing business, bringing hardware, software and manufacturing expertise under one platform.
The deal would also broaden Intel’s computing portfolio, which includes central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs) and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), to include quantum processing units (QPUs).
Quantum computers process information using quantum bits, or qubits, which can exploit quantum-mechanical effects to perform certain computations differently from classical computers. However, developing practical applications remains challenging because quantum algorithms must be translated into circuits compatible with the underlying hardware.
Classiq Adds Automated Quantum Software Design
Classiq develops software that allows users to design quantum algorithms without requiring extensive expertise in low-level quantum circuit construction. Its synthesis platform automatically generates quantum circuits from higher-level descriptions of the intended computation.
The technology is designed to work across different qubit modalities and hardware platforms, potentially allowing developers to build applications without being tied to a single quantum processor architecture.
Classiq co-founder and CEO Nir Minerbi said the company was founded to make quantum computing more practical and accessible by enabling developers, researchers and enterprises to create scalable quantum applications.
Intel compared Classiq’s role in quantum computing with the development of electronic design automation (EDA) and computer-aided design (CAD) software, which helped abstract the complexity of chip design and support the growth of conventional computing.
By combining automated quantum software synthesis with its silicon-based hardware research, Intel aims to reduce barriers between quantum algorithm development and execution.
Open Software Ecosystem to Continue
Following the transaction’s completion, Intel intends to maintain Classiq’s existing integrations with multiple hardware platforms. The company said it would continue supporting a hardware-agnostic software approach and an open, collaborative quantum computing ecosystem.
That commitment could be important for developers working across quantum systems that use different physical approaches to implement qubits. Maintaining compatibility with multiple platforms would also allow Classiq’s existing users and partners to continue working with its software beyond Intel’s own hardware.
The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the acquisition or provide a detailed commercial rollout timeline.
The deal comes as semiconductor companies and software developers explore ways to make quantum computing more accessible beyond research environments. While practical quantum systems still face challenges involving scalability, reliability and error correction, integrating hardware development with higher-level software tools could help accelerate application development.
