IonQ Inc (NYSE:IONQ) shares experienced an upward movement on Wednesday following the formal completion of its acquisition of Skyloom Global Corp. This transaction enhances IonQ's push into quantum networking, and it follows closely on the heels of the company's recent acquisition of chipmaker SkyWater Technology Inc.
The acquisition of Skyloom, a U.S.-based innovator in lightwave-optics technology designed to enable secure and high-performance communication networks, marks a pivotal step in IonQ's strategy to advance scalable quantum networking capabilities. The initial announcement of this acquisition was made in November 2025, and the deal has now been finalized.
Niccolo de Masi, IonQ’s chairman and CEO, emphasized the strategic value of the Skyloom acquisition. According to de Masi, the integration of Skyloom's specialized optical and communication competencies is integral to realizing IonQ's vision for distributed quantum entanglement and ultra-secure connectivity. This addition is expected to accelerate IonQ's developments in quantum networking disciplines, including quantum key distribution, and the establishment of future quantum-enabled communications infrastructure.
Skyloom's strengths lie particularly in free-space optical communications, photonic system engineering, and secure data transmission technologies. Bringing these capabilities into IonQ’s portfolio bolsters the company’s quantum networking roadmap and supports ongoing partnerships with government and industry stakeholders. The acquisition extends IonQ’s capacity to deliver comprehensive quantum networking solutions from end-to-end.
IonQ has demonstrated a vigorous acquisition strategy, with the Skyloom deal continuing a series of recent purchases aimed at broadening its technological base and market reach. Earlier this week, IonQ announced its intention to acquire SkyWater Technology in a transaction valued at approximately $1.8 billion. Alongside these efforts, IonQ completed the acquisition of Oxford Ionics in 2025 for over $1 billion, and also acquired Capella Space, Lightsynq, ID Quantique, and Vector Atomic.
The company’s stock performance reflects this strategic expansion momentum, with shares up nearly 0.90% to $45.90 as of Wednesday’s trading session, according to Benzinga Pro data. This activity indicates investor interest in IonQ’s growth trajectory and its increasing footprint within the quantum technology sector.
While the quantum computing and networking spaces remain complex and evolving, IonQ’s approach underscores a focused effort to secure a competitive edge through technology integration and scale. The addition of Skyloom’s lightwave-optics expertise enriches IonQ’s portfolio and positions it to capitalize on the emerging landscape of quantum-enabled communications.
As IonQ continues to execute acquisitions and technology integrations, its collaboration with government and commercial partners is expected to deepen. This dynamic suggests an ongoing expansion of IonQ’s role in the development of quantum networks, underpinning long-term strategic objectives to deliver next-generation connectivity solutions.
In summary, IonQ's latest acquisition cements its commitment to advancing quantum networking technologies by leveraging specialized optical and communication capabilities. The company's recent acquisition streak demonstrates a pronounced management discipline aimed at fortifying its distribution strength and technological offerings in an increasingly competitive market.