# Rigetti Computing **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/rigetti-computing **Vertical:** Quantum Computing **Subcategory:** Superconducting Quantum Computing **Tier:** Growth **Website:** rigetti.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary Full-stack quantum computing company (Nasdaq); Berkeley-based; Quantum Cloud Services provides low-latency access with proprietary Quil language; targeting near-term quantum advantage. ## Company Overview Rigetti Computing is a Berkeley-based quantum computing company that builds superconducting quantum processors and develops the full software stack for programming, simulating, and running quantum algorithms. Rigetti's Quantum Cloud Services (QCS) platform provides low-latency access to its quantum processors — an important differentiator given that quantum computations require rapid classical-quantum communication for near-term algorithms. The company's Quil programming language and Forest SDK provide developers with tools for writing hybrid quantum-classical programs. Rigetti went public via SPAC merger in 2022 and trades on Nasdaq. The company focuses on near-term quantum advantage in chemistry simulation, materials science, and optimization problems that are relevant to pharmaceutical and financial services customers. Founded in 2013 by former IBM Quantum researcher Chad Rigetti, the company has shipped multiple generations of quantum processors and operates quantum computing infrastructure for research institutions and early enterprise customers. Rigetti competes with IBM Quantum, IonQ, and Google in the quantum hardware and cloud services market. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Quil and why did Rigetti develop it? Quil (Quantum Instruction Language) is Rigetti's programming language for quantum computing that supports hybrid quantum-classical programs, enabling developers to write algorithms that alternate between quantum and classical computation — the architecture needed for near-term quantum algorithms that still require significant classical processing. ### What is Rigetti Computing and what does it build? Rigetti Computing is a publicly traded quantum computing company (NASDAQ: RGTI) that designs and manufactures superconducting quantum processors and develops the full software stack including compilers, simulators, and cloud access infrastructure. Rigetti is one of a handful of companies building end-to-end quantum computing systems rather than just software. ### How does Rigetti's QCS platform work? Rigetti's Quantum Cloud Services (QCS) platform provides low-latency access to its quantum processors via the cloud, with a key differentiator being the ability to run hybrid quantum-classical algorithms with rapid back-and-forth communication between quantum and classical processors — reducing the latency that limits most quantum cloud access methods. ### What is Rigetti's current qubit count and fidelity? Rigetti has progressed through multiple processor generations, with its Ankaa-series systems delivering 84 qubits with improved median 2-qubit gate fidelity compared to earlier designs. The company's roadmap focuses on improving gate fidelity and increasing qubit count in tandem, recognizing that qubit quality matters as much as quantity. ### How did Rigetti go public? Rigetti went public via SPAC merger with Supernova Partners Acquisition Company in March 2022, listing on NASDAQ as RGTI. Like many quantum computing companies that went public during the SPAC boom, Rigetti's stock has experienced significant volatility reflecting the early-stage nature of the quantum computing industry. ### Who founded Rigetti Computing? Rigetti was founded in 2013 by Chad Rigetti, a physicist who previously worked at IBM's quantum computing research group. Chad Rigetti stepped down as CEO in 2022 and was replaced by Subodh Kulkarni, who has since refocused the company on near-term commercial applications. ### What is Rigetti's competitive position in quantum computing? Rigetti competes with IBM (dominant in quantum cloud access), Google (superconducting quantum research), IonQ (trapped ion, also public), and Quantinuum (trapped ion). Rigetti differentiates through its fabrication capabilities (owning its own fab for rapid iteration), QCS low-latency cloud access, and Quil programming language for hybrid algorithms. ### What is Rigetti's path to commercial relevance? Rigetti is focusing on quantum advantage for specific optimization and simulation problems where quantum computers can outperform classical algorithms on near-term devices — including financial portfolio optimization, materials simulation, and machine learning. The company believes targeted domain-specific applications will demonstrate value before general-purpose quantum computing matures. ### What is Rigetti Computing? Rigetti Computing designs and manufactures superconducting quantum processors and offers cloud-based quantum computing access via its Quantum Cloud Services (QCS) platform, also accessible through Amazon Braket. ### Is Rigetti publicly traded? Yes, Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI) went public via SPAC merger in 2022 and is one of the few publicly traded pure-play quantum computing companies alongside IonQ and D-Wave. ### What quantum processors does Rigetti currently offer? Rigetti has produced successive generations of superconducting quantum processors including its Ankaa series, with continued improvements in qubit count, fidelity, and system uptime across its cloud quantum systems. ### Who founded Rigetti Computing? Rigetti was founded in 2013 by Chad Rigetti, a former IBM Quantum researcher who left to build a commercially focused quantum computing company, pioneering the model of offering quantum computing as a cloud service. ### What is Rigetti's Quantum Cloud Services platform? Rigetti's QCS provides low-latency direct access to Rigetti quantum systems with faster job execution than cloud intermediaries, supporting the rapid iteration needed for quantum algorithm development and hybrid quantum-classical workflows. ### What is Rigetti's main challenge? Rigetti faces intense competition from IBM Quantum, Google Quantum AI, and IonQ, all of which have demonstrated superior qubit fidelity or scale metrics. Rigetti must demonstrate competitive performance improvements to maintain market relevance. ### What government contracts has Rigetti held? Rigetti has held contracts with DARPA, the US Air Force, and UK government quantum programs, providing both quantum computing access and research partnerships for defense and national security applications. ## Tags quantum, hardware, b2b, enterprise, startup, public, technology, developer-tools, ai-powered --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*