Diraq Advanced to Final DARPA Quantum Program Stage

The UNSW spinout now accesses up to $430 million to accelerate utility-scale quantum system development.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Quantum Computing

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a circular silicon wafer and geometric structural pillars, representing quantum computing research. — Diraq has reached the final stage of the DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, securing access to $430 million in government funding to accelerate industrial-scale computer development. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Diraq has reached the final stage of the DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, a U.S. defense program aimed at building a utility-scale quantum computer. This advancement secures the firm access to up to $430 million in government funding to support technical validation efforts.

Why it matters

This funding supports the verification and validation of quantum technology necessary to reach industrial-scale performance. The program is designed to move the sector toward a utility-scale computer by 2033.

Diraq has reached the final program stage with an initial $51 million allocation, marking a significant step up from the $1 million and $15 million disbursed in prior stages. The company has previously secured $38 million in separate commitments from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The players

Diraq

A UNSW spinout company developing quantum hardware using standard CMOS semiconductor manufacturing processes.

DARPA

The U.S. Department of Defense agency responsible for funding emerging technology research including the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative.

The details

Diraq advances through the delivery of technical demonstrations, system updates, and design activities. The company utilizes manufacturing processes and infrastructure already employed to produce conventional computer chips. This approach seeks to leverage existing semiconductor fabrication techniques to bypass the complexities of custom-built quantum hardware environments.

2031: Diraq projects achieving a utility-scale quantum computer.
2033: DARPA deadline for building a utility-scale quantum computer.

The Tech Race

This development places Diraq at the forefront of the DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative alongside other competitors vying for the final program outcomes. The race centers on validating silicon-based architectures against the 2033 goal of reaching full utility-scale computing.

The program results will dictate whether silicon-based quantum chips become a viable path for industrial computation. Until the 2031 and 2033 target dates, this technology remains in the development and validation phase with no impact on current commercial or consumer hardware.

The takeaway

Diraq's progress highlights the intense focus on scaling silicon-based quantum bits using legacy semiconductor workflows. Observers should track the annual technical benchmarks established by the DARPA program to evaluate if these chips can meet utility-scale requirements by 2031.