Quantum computing is poised to be a rapidly growing sector in technology. McKinsey Digital’s consultants predict the industry may reach a valuation of up to $1.3 billion by 2035, though this projection comes with considerable uncertainty.
If this ambitious figure materializes, investors in successful quantum computing firms could see substantial returns. Here are two companies to consider investing in this month.
IonQ: A High-Risk, High-Reward Opportunity
Founded in 2015 by quantum physics experts Christopher Monroe and Jungsang Kim, IonQ (IONQ 3.68%) became the first pure-play quantum computing company to go public in 2021. Since quantum technology is still emerging, IonQ is not yet profitable. Its revenue nearly doubled to $43.1 million last year, but growing expenses resulted in a net loss of $331.6 million.
CEO Peter Chapman anticipates profitability within the next several years, projecting sales could reach around $1 billion by 2030. IonQ boasts a robust balance sheet and recently raised $1 billion in common stock, resulting in nearly $1.7 billion in available cash.
IonQ’s distinction lies in its trapped-ion technology, utilizing quantum bits (qubits) for data storage. Unlike the commonly used superconducting qubits, IonQ’s system employs trapped ions controlled by precise laser pulses. This technology has significant advantages, including high fidelity, meaning it has achieved low error rates, particularly after reporting over 99.9% fidelity in September 2024.
IBM: A Leader in Quantum Innovation
Although International Business Machines (IBM 1.44%) focuses on cloud services, software, and artificial intelligence (AI), it has a long-standing relationship with quantum computing that dates back over 30 years. IBM was instrumental in various advancements, including the release of the IBM Eagle, the first processor to exceed 100 qubits, in 2021.
IBM has an ambitious quantum development roadmap, aiming to demonstrate quantum advantage by 2026 and launch a fault-tolerant quantum computer, Quantum Starling, by 2029. With its financial clout, IBM can invest significantly more in quantum technologies than newer companies like IonQ—a commitment that includes a $30 billion investment in technology and mainframes as part of a broader $150 billion pledge in U.S. manufacturing.
In its first quarter of 2025, IBM reported $14.5 billion in revenue and $8 billion in gross profit, showing slight year-over-year growth. The company’s gross profit margin improved from 53.5% to 55.2%, and it concluded the quarter with $17.6 billion in cash reserves, positioning it well for future quantum computing endeavors.
While investments in quantum computing carry an inherent level of speculation, with unpredictable timelines for widespread adoption, adding shares of IonQ, IBM, or both could be a prudent way to gain exposure in this transformative field.
