Rigetti (RGTI) Charges Toward Quantum Supremacy: 1,000-Qubit System by 2027 & $11M Orders Secured

Quantum computing just got a turbocharge—Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI) is gunning for a 1,000-qubit system by 2027, and they’ve already locked in $11 million in orders. Wall Street’s betting on qubits over profits—again.

Breaking Down the Quantum Leap

Rigetti’s roadmap isn’t just ambitious; it’s a direct challenge to IBM and Google. The $11 million in orders? Proof that investors are thirsty for quantum—even if most can’t explain how it works.

Why 1,000 Qubits Matter

Crossing the 1,000-qubit threshold isn’t just a flex—it’s the tipping point where quantum starts solving real-world problems. Think drug discovery, logistics optimization, and (of course) cracking encryption.

The Bottom Line

Rigetti’s sprint to 2027 could redefine computing—or join the graveyard of overhyped tech. Either way, the market’s voting with its wallet. Just don’t ask about profitability timelines.

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In the NEAR term, Rigetti plans to deliver a 100+ qubit system by the end of 2025 with a two-qubit fidelity of 99.5%. Next, it targets 150+ qubits by late 2026 and over 1,000 qubits by 2027 with slightly higher fidelity. These numbers matter because higher fidelity means fewer errors, which is key for running longer or more complex tasks.

Unlike some of its rivals, Rigetti is staying focused on building out the physical hardware. Its goal is to scale faster using modular parts instead of pushing for full error correction right away. While this approach may offer faster gains, it also presents new engineering challenges related to how these modules interact.

Meanwhile, RGTI shares dropped 5.08% on Tuesday, closing at $31.40.

Commercial Wins and Early Demand

Rigetti also shared signs of traction on the business side. It secured $5.7 million in system sales for two 9-qubit machines. One went to an Asian tech company and the other to a California-based startup working in applied physics and AI. These deals show early demand for on-premise setups in both research and industry.

In addition, Rigetti was awarded a $5.8 million government contract alongside QphoX to work on quantum networking. The project will explore ways to LINK quantum systems using light, a step that could help build large, connected networks in the future.

The company is also joining Nvidia’s (NVDA) NVQLink platform, which aims to blend quantum and AI systems. This could create hybrid tools for research and machine learning.

On the global front, Rigetti signed a partnership with India’s C-DAC to explore hybrid systems and teamed up with Montana State University to expand U.S. academic access. It also plans to open a subsidiary in Italy to tap into talent and new markets.

Compared to Other Players

Rigetti’s approach is different from peers. International Business Machines (IBM) is focused on logical qubits and error correction using more stable designs. The company’s current systems, like Heron and Condor, are aimed at reducing errors and improving long-term scale.

IonQ (IONQ), which uses trapped ion technology, is measuring progress through a different lens. Instead of physical qubits, IonQ tracks application-level performance using a metric called “Algorithmic Qubits” and reached a new high earlier this year.

In comparison, Rigetti is staying close to the hardware and scaling step-by-step. If its roadmap holds, the company could narrow the gap in raw performance. Still, success will depend on keeping error rates low as systems get larger. Overall, Rigetti is showing early signs of stability in both its business and product plan. While risks remain, the company now has a clear technical path and a growing set of partners.

Is Rigetti Stock a Buy?

Rigetti enjoys the Street’s backing with a Strong Buy consensus rating. Out of eight analysts, six rate it a Buy, while two rate it a Hold. The average RGTI stock price target stands at $37.60, implying a 19.75% upside from the current price.