Back-to-Back Executive Orders Shape the U.S. Quantum Agenda: What Founders and Investors Need to Know - Wilson Sonsini

On June 22, 2026, the administration issued two Executive Orders: Executive Order 14413, Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation (Quantum Innovation Executive Order) and Executive Order 14412, Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks (Post-Quantum Cryptography Executive Order). Together, the Executive Orders reinforce the federal government’s long-term commitment to quantum information science and technology (QIST) while continuing to frame quantum as both an economic and national security priority. Although they impose relatively few immediate legal obligations on most companies, the Executive Orders provide important signals about where federal investment, procurement, and strategic partnerships are likely to emerge over the coming years. For founders, investors, and strategic partners, the practical question is less what the Executive Orders require today than how they should influence fundraising, commercialization, and collaboration strategies going forward.

The Quantum Innovation Executive Order emphasizes commercialization and deployment of QIST, support for quantum-enabling technologies, workforce development, domestic supply chains, and partnerships among government, academia, and U.S. industry.1 One of the Order’s principal initiatives is the creation of the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC-ADDS) effort, a multi-agency initiative intended to develop a utility-scale quantum computer. Rather than selecting a preferred hardware architecture, the Order directs agencies to identify the technical specifications needed for such a system and to develop a plan encouraging technical contributions from private-sector quantum companies. This modality-neutral approach is consistent with the administration’s broader investment strategy. Through the CHIPS Act, the administration recently announced approximately $2 billion in quantum investments, including approximately $100 million in planned funding to each of Atom Computing, D-Wave, Infleqtion, PsiQuantum, Quantinuum, and Rigetti, spanning neutral atom, silicon-spin, superconducting, photonic, and trapped-ion quantum computing architectures.2 Importantly, the Executive Order extends well beyond quantum processors themselves. It specifically identifies quantum networking, quantum sensing, quantum-enabling technologies, workforce development, and domestic supply chains as strategic priorities, recognizing that a competitive quantum ecosystem depends on advances throughout the technology stack. At the same time, the Executive Order continues the administration’s emphasis on balancing innovation with national security. It calls for “robust and balanced security controls” while avoiding unnecessary barriers to innovation and directs agencies to “engage with international partners” to preserve access to strategic markets and capital while preventing countries of concern from acquiring critical quantum technologies. This appears consistent with the administration’s ongoing efforts to harmonize export control policies with allies and partners. The Post-Quantum Cryptography Executive Order focuses on preparing federal information systems for the eventual threat posed by cryptographically relevant quantum computers by accelerating adoption of post-quantum cryptography (PQC). It establishes implementation deadlines for federal agencies and directs the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council) to incorporate National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-approved PQC standards into federal procurement requirements.3 Among the key milestones: Although implementation will occur over several years through future rulemaking, the Executive Order signals that post-quantum cryptography is transitioning from a long-term research initiative to a government procurement priority.

What This Means for Founders, Investors, and Strategic Partners Although neither Executive Order creates significant new compliance obligations for most quantum companies today, together they provide a roadmap for where federal investment, procurement, and strategic collaboration are likely to develop over the coming years. Federal priorities are becoming market signals.

The Quantum Innovation Executive Order reinforces that quantum computing, networking, sensing, and enabling technologies remain national priorities. Companies seeking investment should consider whether their fundraising materials clearly articulate how their technology aligns with these priorities and whether they can demonstrate a credible path toward government, defense, or other regulated markets alongside commercial customers. Strategic partnerships are likely to become increasingly important.

The Executive Orders repeatedly emphasize collaboration among government, academia, and industry. Companies should evaluate opportunities to partner with national laboratories, research universities, cloud providers, semiconductor manufacturers, defense contractors, and systems integrators. Beyond accelerating technical development, these relationships can strengthen commercial credibility with investors and improve competitiveness for future federal funding opportunities. As collaboration activity increases, founders should carefully structure intellectual property ownership, publication rights, confidentiality obligations, and commercialization rights before entering joint development arrangements. Government readiness may become part of investor diligence. As quantum technologies become increasingly intertwined with national security and industrial policy, investors are likely to place greater emphasis on a company’s ability to execute within this environment. Founders should expect questions regarding government market opportunities, strategic partnerships, intellectual property strategy, supply chain resilience, export controls, cybersecurity planning, and the company’s ability to navigate future government procurement opportunities. Companies that proactively address these issues are better positioned for institutional investment and strategic collaborations. Post-quantum cryptography presents commercial opportunities beyond compliance. While many companies are not yet subject to federal procurement requirements, the migration of federal agencies and contractors to NIST-approved PQC standards is expected to create demand for migration tools, cryptographic software, secure communications technologies, testing platforms, and related professional services. Companies developing products in these areas should consider whether government agencies, prime contractors, or regulated industries represent meaningful additions to their commercialization strategy. Wilson Sonsini routinely helps Quantum Information Sciences companies navigate complex issues. For more information or assistance, please contact any member of Wilson Sonsini’s Quantum Computing practice. [2] Press Release, NIST, “Department of Commerce Announces Letters of Intent With 9 Companies for $2 Billion to Accelerate U.S. Leadership in Quantum Computing” (May 21, 2026), https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2026/05/department-commerce-announces-letters-intent-9-companies-2-billion. By clicking “Accept All Cookies,” you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to help us analyze traffic, enhance your experience, and provide you with tailored content. These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.