Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues in Q1 2025 were $1,500,000, down from $3,100,000 in Q1 2024, indicating a significant decline [12] - Gross margins decreased to 30% in Q1 2025 from 49% in Q1 2024, primarily due to lower margins from a contract with the UK's NQCC [12] - Total operating expenses (OpEx) increased to $22,100,000 in Q1 2025 from $18,100,000 in the same period last year, driven by salary increases, new hires, and higher stock compensation expenses [13] - The operating loss for Q1 2025 was $21,600,000, compared to $16,600,000 in the prior year [13] - The company recorded a net income of $42,600,000 in Q1 2025, a turnaround from a net loss of $20,800,000 in the previous year, largely due to favorable non-cash changes in derivative warrant and earn-out liabilities [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on advancing its utility scale quantum computer concept through collaborations and government contracts, which are critical for future sales [4][5] - The NQCC contract is noted for its lower gross margin profile, impacting overall profitability [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has been awarded multiple contracts, including a $1,000,000 award from DARPA for the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, which is seen as strategically important despite its relatively small monetary value [34] - Interest in quantum computing remains primarily in R&D, with significant reliance on government contracts and academic research funding [41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to demonstrate a chiplet approach to scale qubit counts, targeting over 100 qubits by the end of 2025 [16][19] - The strategy includes collaborations with various institutions to enhance quantum error correction capabilities and improve chip fabrication technology [5][6] - The company is optimistic about the NQI reauthorization, which is expected to provide funding for quantum computing initiatives, although delays in passing the bill are noted [22][50] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the chiplet approach as a means to scale up qubit counts, emphasizing its importance for the entire industry [19] - The company is optimistic about the future of quantum computing, although it acknowledges that achieving quantum advantage is still several years away [39] - Management highlighted the strategic importance of government contracts and collaborations in driving future growth [41][42] Other Important Information - The company has closed a $35,000,000 investment from Quanta Computer, which is expected to strengthen their partnership and reduce R&D costs in non-QPU hardware areas [10][96] - The company is exploring optical signaling as a future technology to improve scalability and reduce thermal load in quantum computing systems [80][84] Q&A Session Summary Question: Progress on chip tiling to reach 36 qubits - Management confirmed that the chiplet approach is critical for scaling qubit counts and expressed confidence in achieving the target by mid-year [16][19] Question: Updates on NQI Reauthorization Act - Management noted bipartisan support for the NQI reauthorization but indicated that it has not yet passed, with funding expected to take additional time to flow [21][50] Question: Details on the DARPA contract - The DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative is crucial for developing utility scale quantum computing, with specific milestones related to qubit fidelity and gate speed [27][90] Question: Customer interest in acquiring processors - Management stated that interest remains high, but funding issues are currently hindering conversion to orders [41][42] Question: Timeframe for the 36 qubit QPU upgrade - Management indicated that the upgrade could occur in the second half of the year, depending on the demonstration of the chiplet approach [51][54] Question: Importance of optical signaling - Management emphasized the significance of optical signaling for future scalability and the transition from coax to fiber optic cables [80][84] Question: Revenue recognition from NQCC and Air Force contracts - Management expects revenue from the NQCC contract to be recognized over the next year, with the Air Force contract contributing approximately $1,000,000 over its three-year term [87]

Summary of Rigetti Computing Conference Call Company Overview - Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing, operating superconducting quantum computers since 2017 through a cloud services platform and selling on-premise quantum computers since 2021 [2][8] - The company developed the first multichip processor in the industry and manufactures superconducting quantum processing units (QPUs) in-house at a dedicated facility [2] Core Industry Insights - Quantum computing is an emerging technology that fundamentally differs from classical computing by using qubits instead of bits, allowing for exponential computing capabilities and lower energy consumption [5][6] - Rigetti focuses on gate-based quantum computing, which is expected to dominate the industry, while acknowledging niche applications for other modalities like annealing [12][14] Technological Advantages - The advantages of superconducting technology include scalability and gate speed, with Rigetti's gate speeds comparable to current CPU and GPU technologies [16][17] - Recent advancements have improved two-qubit gate fidelity to 99.5%, with a target of reaching 99.8% to enable commercial applications [24][25] Roadmap and Future Goals - Rigetti aims to demonstrate a quantum computer with over 100 qubits and maintain high fidelity in 2024, with plans to increase qubit count and fidelity in subsequent years [27] - The company is pursuing a modular chiplet architecture to facilitate scaling, which has shown promising results in initial deployments [28][34] Quantum Networking and Error Correction - Rigetti believes in a hybrid computing model where quantum computers coexist with classical systems, rather than requiring a separate quantum network [41][42] - The company is collaborating with Riverlane to develop real-time error correction codes, which are critical for future quantum computing applications [46][51] Strategic Partnerships - Rigetti has formed a strategic partnership with Quanta Computer, which includes a $35 million investment and a commitment of $250 million over five years for non-quantum hardware development [82][86] - This partnership is aimed at enhancing Rigetti's manufacturing capabilities and reducing R&D costs as the business scales [85] Government Funding and Legislative Updates - The National Quantum Computing Act is pending reauthorization, which is crucial for long-term funding and support for quantum initiatives [90][92] - Rigetti has secured funding from DARPA and the Air Force Research Lab, indicating strong government interest in quantum technologies [93] Conclusion - Rigetti Computing is positioned at the forefront of quantum computing technology, focusing on scalability, fidelity, and strategic partnerships to drive future growth and commercialization [95]

Core Insights - Rigetti Computing has been selected to participate in DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) to assess the feasibility of achieving utility-scale quantum computing by 2033 [1][4] - The company aims to develop a Utility-Scale Quantum Computer (USQC) using its proprietary multi-chip architecture and scalable quantum error correction (QEC) codes, in collaboration with Riverlane [2][3] Group 1: DARPA QBI Participation - The QBI will evaluate quantum computing concepts through a multi-stage approach, with Rigetti advancing to Stage A, which includes a 6-month performance period and potential funding of up to $1 million [1] - The initiative's goal is to determine if any quantum computing approach can achieve utility-scale operation by 2033 [1] Group 2: Technology and Collaboration - Rigetti's USQC concept will utilize Quantum Low Density Parity Check (qLDPC) codes, which are more efficient than traditional surface codes, allowing for better scalability and reduced physical qubit overhead [3] - Riverlane, a partner specializing in QEC technology, will assist in refining and validating Rigetti's USQC concept [2] Group 3: Company Expertise and Roadmap - Rigetti has spent a decade developing intellectual property and expertise in quantum computing, positioning itself to deliver on the QBI program [4] - The company has made significant advancements in superconducting qubit technology, including a novel chip fabrication technique called Alternating Bias Assisted Annealing (ABAA) [4][5] - Rigetti's current 84-qubit Ankaa-3 system demonstrates a 99.0% ISWAP gate fidelity, with plans to scale to over 100 qubits while reducing error rates by 50% [5]