Intel signs agreement to acquire Israeli quantum software firm Classiq

Intel Agrees to Buy Classiq in $2.2 Billion Acquisition

Positioning the US chipmaker as a full-stack provider of quantum hardware and software solutions, Intel stated on Monday that it had entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Israeli quantum computing software firm Classiq. While the companies did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction, Globes reported that Intel acquired Classiq for $2.2 billion, making it Intel’s largest acquisition in Israel since the 2017 purchase of Mobileye for $15.3 billion. The deal remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with Intel expecting to close the transaction in the first half of 2027.

The Tech TL;DR:
• Intel has agreed to acquire Israeli quantum software firm Classiq in a deal reported by Globes at $2.2 billion, targeting a close in the first half of 2027 pending regulatory approval.
• Classiq provides a hardware-agnostic platform allowing developers and enterprises to build quantum applications without deep expertise in quantum circuit design.
• The acquisition combines Intel’s silicon spin-qubit hardware manufacturing with Classiq’s automated quantum algorithm synthesis, transforming Intel’s Quantum Computing Group into a full-stack business.

Software Platform for Hardware-Agnostic Quantum Development

Having originated in Israel, Classiq has engineered a quantum software platform allowing businesses and developers to construct quantum applications without requiring advanced proficiency in quantum circuit design. Built to function across a variety of quantum hardware architectures, the company’s technology offers a hardware-agnostic software layer for quantum computing development. Intel noted that merging its own hardware and software capabilities with Classiq’s automated quantum algorithm synthesis platform will help speed up the commercialization of quantum computing.

“For more than a decade, Intel has made remarkable progress in quantum computing by applying its semiconductor innovation, advanced manufacturing prowess and systems engineering expertise to the development of scalable silicon spin-qubit technology,” said Intel’s CEO Lip-Bu Tan. “Joining forces with Classiq transforms Intel’s Quantum Computing Group into a full-stack quantum computing business.”

Intel Combines Silicon Spin-Qubit Technology with Classiq Tools

Focusing on cryogenic control electronics and silicon-based spin qubits, Intel has maintained investments in quantum computing since 2015. Through this purchase, Intel merges Classiq’s development tools with its own semiconductor manufacturing, quantum software, and silicon spin-qubit technology expertise, enabling the corporation to deliver comprehensive quantum computing solutions.

Classiq CEO and co-founder Nir Minerbi said the deal would help broaden adoption of quantum technologies. “Since our founding, Classiq has focused on making quantum computing practical and accessible by enabling developers, researchers and enterprises to create scalable quantum applications without requiring deep expertise in quantum circuit design,” he said. Minerbi added that the quantum revolution has turned into a technical challenge with continuous monthly improvements, noting that artificial intelligence and quantum work together as a hybrid game to improve efficiency through quantum AI agents operated by various industries.

Intel Maintains Hardware-Agnostic Software Ecosystem After Acquisition

Intel stated that it intends to continue supporting Classiq’s existing integrations with multiple quantum hardware platforms after the acquisition closes, maintaining a hardware- and modality-agnostic software ecosystem. Classiq has raised over $200 million to date, with its most recent funding round totaling $135 million at a valuation of $600 million. Team8 is one of the company’s backers, having backed it from its very first funding round under the leadership of managing partner Sarit Firon.

“Intel isn’t just acquiring another Israeli company. It’s acquiring technology at the forefront of one of the most significant breakthroughs in computing. Quantum computing has the potential to unlock unprecedented computing power and transform fields ranging from drug discovery to the development of new materials,” Firon said, adding that Classiq developed its quantum programming language in Israel.

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