Intel (Intel Corporation) announced a definitive agreement to acquire quantum software developer Classiq for $2.3 billion in a combination of cash and stock on October 26, 2026. The transaction combines Classiq’s automated algorithm synthesis platform with Intel’s silicon spin-qubit hardware to build a full-stack quantum computing business.
The deal positions Intel to integrate Quantum Processing Units into a diverse compute portfolio spanning central processing units, graphics processing units, and application-specific integrated circuits. The agreement is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, with management expecting the transaction to close in the first half of 2027.
Intel Acquires Classiq for Record 2.3 Billion Dollars
- Record Valuation: At $2.3 billion, the acquisition marks the most expensive transaction for a quantum computing company to date.
- Full-Stack Transition: The purchase transforms Intel’s Quantum Computing Group into a full-stack provider, uniting automated software synthesis with cryogenic control electronics and silicon spin-qubit hardware.
- Ecosystem Independence: Intel intends to maintain Classiq’s support for multiple hardware platforms following the transaction, preserving an open software ecosystem.
Silicon Scale Meets Automated Circuit Design
Founded six years ago, Classiq developed an operating system and automated synthesis platform for quantum computers. The technology allows developers and enterprises to design quantum circuits without requiring deep expertise in underlying hardware modalities. According to corporate disclosures, the software functions similarly to Electronic Design Automation in classical silicon chip design, abstracting hardware complexity to accelerate application development.
Intel just agreed to acquire Israeli quantum software startup Classiq. Here's what you need to know.Intel announced the deal today to build a full-stack quantum computing platform. Terms were not officially disclosed. Reports from Globes, Bloomberg and Calcalist put the price… pic.twitter.com/CafXxxrf2Q
For Intel, the acquisition absorbs an asset that recently raised a $110 million funding round in 2025 at an estimated valuation of $600 million to $700 million. The $2.3 billion purchase price values the business well above its last private market valuation. Entrée Capital stands as the largest shareholder in the startup, while Team8 Capital and institutional saver The Phoenix hold minority stakes of 9% and 7.5%, respectively.
Milestone for Israeli Quantum Infrastructure
The transaction represents a major exit for Israel’s technology sector, marking Intel’s first acquisition of an Israeli company since its purchase of Granulate in 2022. The scale of the Classiq exit is compared to Intel’s acquisition of Mobileye a decade prior, noting potential spillover effects for venture investment in regional deep-tech enterprises. Employees, who collectively hold a 10% equity stake in Classiq, are positioned to share approximately $230 million in proceeds.
$IONQ Intel is buying Classiq for a reported $2.3B. IonQ invested in it six months ago.Classiq is the quantum software layer: you describe the algorithm, it builds the circuit for the machine you target. Its co-founder and CEO Nir Minerbi announced the deal today: "we aim to… pic.twitter.com/vlSbPhf8lp”
Despite the high valuation, the broader quantum computing sector remains in an early commercial phase. While publicly traded competitor IonQ maintains a market capitalization of approximately $13 billion, practical commercial deployment across industries continues to develop. Intel chief executive officer Lip-Bu Tan stated that combining semiconductor manufacturing expertise with Classiq’s software will help accelerate mainstream enterprise adoption.
Intel and Classiq Operate Separately Until 2027
Until the transaction closes in the first half of 2027, Intel and Classiq will operate as separate entities. Classiq co-founder and chief executive officer Nir Minerbi, alongside Yehuda Naveh and Amir Naveh, will join Intel to guide the integration of the software division. Corporate statements confirm that Classiq’s current team of approximately 150 employees will continue developing hardware-agnostic tools compatible with diverse quantum systems.
Regulatory scrutiny and customary closing conditions will govern the timeline over the coming months. As Intel works toward finalizing the purchase, management notes that potential litigation risks, employee retention hurdles, and commercialization timelines remain variables to monitor through the pendency of the deal.
| Metric / Detail | Classiq Enterprise Data |
|---|---|
| Acquisition Value | $2.3 Billion (Cash and Stock) |
| Prior Valuation (2025) | $600 Million to $700 Million |
| Total Capital Raised | Approximately $200 Million |
| Employee Headcount | Approximately 150 |
| Expected Close | First Half of 2027 |
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Let the quantum buyouts begin. Intel to acquire Israeli quantum startup Classiq for $2.3 billionNote: Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan was an early investor in $IONQ, putting in his own money back in 2019.$IONQ has an investment in Classiq.In November 2025, Classiq announced a…
