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Can Rigetti's Recent Grants Accelerate Its Quantum Computing Roadmap?
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Key Takeaways
Rigetti won $5.8M AFRL contract, $5.48M AFOSR award and a 3.5M pound Innovate UK grant in 2025.
AFRL funds quantum networking, AFOSR targets qubit defects and Innovate UK drives error correction.
RGTI shares jumped 10.9% on AFRL news and are up 106.1% year to date, outpacing industry gains.
Rigetti Computing (RGTI - Free Report) has secured a series of significant grants over the past six months, underscoring both government confidence and the commercial relevance of its quantum roadmap. Most recently, in September 2025, Rigetti, in partnership with QphoX, received a $5.8 million, three-year contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to advance superconducting quantum networking, a crucial step toward scaling qubits over optical fiber.
In April, the company was awarded a $5.48 million research grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) to develop its Alternating-Bias Assisted Annealing process aimed at reducing qubit defects. That same month, Rigetti was selected to lead a £3.5 million Innovate UK consortium focused on benchmarking and advancing quantum error correction in collaboration with Riverlane and the National Quantum Computing Centre. In addition, a multinational grant involving Rigetti, QphoX and NQCC was announced to demonstrate optical readout of superconducting qubits, further cementing Rigetti’s role in pioneering critical next-generation technologies.
For investors, these grants provide non-dilutive funding while directly targeting quantum’s toughest challenges. The AFRL contract advances quantum interconnects, the AFOSR award focuses on qubit fidelity and the Innovate UK project drives progress in error correction. Collectively, they reduce risk across Rigetti’s roadmap and validate its role in both defence and commercial ecosystems. The takeaway is clear: funded research extends Rigetti’s runway and strengthens its credibility as a long-term quantum contender.
Peers Updates
IonQ (IONQ - Free Report) is steadily advancing its trapped-ion quantum technology. In May 2025, the company showcased meaningful progress in hybrid quantum-classical applications, using quantum-enhanced generative adversarial networks and machine learning to improve simulations in materials science and refine large language models. IonQ is also reinforcing its commercialization strategy through acquisitions and partnerships, most notably its agreement to acquire Oxford Ionics, a specialist in ion-trap-on-a-chip technology, which supports its ambition to scale to millions of qubits by 2030.
Arqit Quantum (ARQQ - Free Report) is sharpening its focus on delivering quantum-safe encryption at scale, moving from research into practical deployments. Its recent selection to join Oracle’s Defense Ecosystem underscores its growing role in safeguarding sensitive defense and government data. In telecommunications, Arqit secured a three-year deal with a Tier-1 global operator to integrate its NetworkSecure solution across services in 32 countries, thereby broadening its presence in both the enterprise and public sectors. The launch of its SKA Edge Controller, a tactical platform for securing military operations with quantum-resistant keys, further highlights Arqit’s commitment to positioning itself as a security-first quantum provider distinct from hardware-focused competitors.
Rigetti’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
RGTI shares gained 10.9% in yesterday’s session following the announcement of its new contract with the AFRL. Year to date, the stock has surged 106.1%, significantly outpacing the industry’s 25.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Rigetti trades at a price-to-book ratio of 18.4, above the industry average. RGTI carries a Value Score of F.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rigetti’s 2025 earnings implies a significant 86.1% rise from the year-ago period.
Image: Bigstock
Can Rigetti's Recent Grants Accelerate Its Quantum Computing Roadmap?
Key Takeaways
Rigetti Computing (RGTI - Free Report) has secured a series of significant grants over the past six months, underscoring both government confidence and the commercial relevance of its quantum roadmap. Most recently, in September 2025, Rigetti, in partnership with QphoX, received a $5.8 million, three-year contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to advance superconducting quantum networking, a crucial step toward scaling qubits over optical fiber.
In April, the company was awarded a $5.48 million research grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) to develop its Alternating-Bias Assisted Annealing process aimed at reducing qubit defects. That same month, Rigetti was selected to lead a £3.5 million Innovate UK consortium focused on benchmarking and advancing quantum error correction in collaboration with Riverlane and the National Quantum Computing Centre. In addition, a multinational grant involving Rigetti, QphoX and NQCC was announced to demonstrate optical readout of superconducting qubits, further cementing Rigetti’s role in pioneering critical next-generation technologies.
For investors, these grants provide non-dilutive funding while directly targeting quantum’s toughest challenges. The AFRL contract advances quantum interconnects, the AFOSR award focuses on qubit fidelity and the Innovate UK project drives progress in error correction. Collectively, they reduce risk across Rigetti’s roadmap and validate its role in both defence and commercial ecosystems. The takeaway is clear: funded research extends Rigetti’s runway and strengthens its credibility as a long-term quantum contender.
Peers Updates
IonQ (IONQ - Free Report) is steadily advancing its trapped-ion quantum technology. In May 2025, the company showcased meaningful progress in hybrid quantum-classical applications, using quantum-enhanced generative adversarial networks and machine learning to improve simulations in materials science and refine large language models. IonQ is also reinforcing its commercialization strategy through acquisitions and partnerships, most notably its agreement to acquire Oxford Ionics, a specialist in ion-trap-on-a-chip technology, which supports its ambition to scale to millions of qubits by 2030.
Arqit Quantum (ARQQ - Free Report) is sharpening its focus on delivering quantum-safe encryption at scale, moving from research into practical deployments. Its recent selection to join Oracle’s Defense Ecosystem underscores its growing role in safeguarding sensitive defense and government data. In telecommunications, Arqit secured a three-year deal with a Tier-1 global operator to integrate its NetworkSecure solution across services in 32 countries, thereby broadening its presence in both the enterprise and public sectors. The launch of its SKA Edge Controller, a tactical platform for securing military operations with quantum-resistant keys, further highlights Arqit’s commitment to positioning itself as a security-first quantum provider distinct from hardware-focused competitors.
Rigetti’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
RGTI shares gained 10.9% in yesterday’s session following the announcement of its new contract with the AFRL. Year to date, the stock has surged 106.1%, significantly outpacing the industry’s 25.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Rigetti trades at a price-to-book ratio of 18.4, above the industry average. RGTI carries a Value Score of F.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rigetti’s 2025 earnings implies a significant 86.1% rise from the year-ago period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.