Rigetti(RGTI) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues in Q3 2025 were $1.9 million, down from $2.4 million in Q3 2024, impacted by the expiration of the National Quantum Initiative [12] - Gross margins in Q3 2025 were 21%, compared to 51% in Q3 2024, due to revenue composition and pricing variability [12][13] - Operating loss for Q3 2025 was $20.5 million, compared to $17.3 million in the prior year [14] - GAAP net loss for Q3 2025 was higher than in Q3 2024, primarily due to non-cash changes in fair value of derivative liabilities [15] - As of September 30, 2025, the company had approximately $558.9 million in cash and equivalents, with no debt [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company announced purchase orders totaling approximately $5.7 million for two 9-qubit Novera quantum computing systems, which are upgradable [6][7] - A three-year, $5.8 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) was announced to advance superconducting quantum networking [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The expiration of the National Quantum Initiative and its pending reauthorization in the U.S. Congress impacted revenue [12] - The company is engaged with various academic and government institutions to advance quantum computing capabilities [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to deliver a 100+ qubit chiplet-based quantum system by the end of 2025, with a roadmap to deploy a 150+ qubit system by the end of 2026 and a 1,000+ qubit system by the end of 2027 [5][6] - The company is focusing on public-private partnerships to advance quantum technologies [9] - The company intends to open an Italian subsidiary to pursue business opportunities in the region [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about future sales driven by recent contracts and collaborations, despite current revenue challenges [12][15] - The company is focused on achieving quantum advantage within the next three to five years, targeting 1,000 qubits with 99.9% fidelity [18][22] - Management is optimistic about potential funding increases for quantum initiatives from the U.S. government [88][89] Other Important Information - The company is exploring options for a new chip fab facility to enhance capabilities beyond the current 150 mm fab [63][66] - The potential investment for a new quantum fab could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, significantly less than a traditional CMOS fab [66] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about DARPA phase B and the feedback received? - Management noted that while not selected for phase B, constructive feedback was received, focusing on error correction and long-range coupling [17][18] Question: What is the comfort level for achieving 99% fidelity by 2027? - Management expressed confidence in achieving 99.7% fidelity at 150+ qubits by 2026 and 99.8% at 1,000 qubits by 2027 [22][23] Question: Will the 1,000-qubit system be chiplet-based? - The plan is to use 36-qubit chiplets for the 1,000-qubit system, with no significant challenges anticipated for long-range coupling [28][30] Question: How will revenue recognition work for the Novera sales? - Revenue for the two Novera systems will be recognized upon shipment, expected in Q1 and Q2 of 2026 [32] Question: What is the expected gross margin profile moving forward? - Management indicated that margins may improve with upcoming sales, particularly from Novera systems [71] Question: What types of applications will the 1,000-qubit system run? - The system is expected to handle complex applications like drug discovery and financial forecasting, which current CPUs and GPUs struggle with [76][77] Question: How does the recent funding from the Energy Department affect the business? - The reinstatement of the National Quantum Initiative funding is seen as a positive step, although discussions for higher funding amounts are ongoing [88][89]