Rapid Growth of the Quantum Computing Market and Strategic Investment Competition Among Companies
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Explosive Growth of the Quantum Computing Market and Industry-Wide Changes
As of December 2025, the global quantum computing market is witnessing rapid growth, presenting a new paradigm in the tech industry. According to the latest report by McKinsey & Company, the global quantum computing market size is expected to grow from $1.3 billion in 2024 to approximately $85 billion by 2030, with an astonishing compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45%. This rapid growth is driven by the potential of quantum computing to surpass the limitations of existing computing technologies in various fields such as artificial intelligence, encryption, drug discovery, and financial modeling.
Particularly in 2025, as the commercialization potential of quantum computing technology becomes more tangible, the investment competition among global tech companies is intensifying. California-based Google recently announced a significant breakthrough in quantum error correction with its Willow quantum chip, indicating a step closer to building practical quantum computing systems. Meanwhile, New York-based IBM announced the expansion of its quantum network in the first half of 2025, allowing over 200 research institutions and companies worldwide to access quantum computing technology. These developments demonstrate that quantum computing is transitioning from a laboratory-level technology to a stage where it can be utilized to solve real business problems.
Interest and investment in quantum computing are also rapidly increasing in the Korean market. The Korean government has decided to allocate a budget of 320 billion won for quantum technology development in 2025, a 40% increase from the previous year, establishing it as a core strategy of the K-Quantum Initiative. Suwon-based Samsung Electronics announced the launch of a new foundry service for manufacturing superconducting qubits for quantum computing starting in the second half of 2025, which is expected to be a significant turning point in strengthening the position of Korean companies in the global quantum computing supply chain. Additionally, Icheon-based SK Hynix announced plans to invest a total of 2 trillion won over the next five years in developing quantum memory technology, actively participating in building the quantum computing ecosystem as a leading company in the memory semiconductor field.
The core of quantum computing technology lies in its fundamentally different information processing method compared to traditional binary-based classical computers. While classical computers process information in bits of 0 or 1, quantum computers utilize quantum mechanical phenomena such as superposition and entanglement, allowing qubits to exist in both 0 and 1 states simultaneously. Due to this characteristic, n qubits can process 2^n states simultaneously, achieving computational speeds thousands to millions of times faster than existing supercomputers for certain problems. In fact, Google’s latest Willow chip reportedly completed a calculation in just 200 seconds that would take the world’s fastest supercomputer 10,000 years.
Competitive Strategies and Technological Differentiation Among Global Companies
Currently, fierce competition is unfolding in the quantum computing market through different technological approaches. Washington-based Microsoft is focusing on topological qubit technology, which offers advantages of lower error rates and higher stability compared to existing superconducting or ion trap methods. Microsoft’s Azure Quantum cloud platform surpassed 150,000 monthly active users in 2025, a 180% increase from the previous year. Notably, Microsoft announced significant achievements in financial risk modeling and drug discovery through hybrid solutions combining quantum computing and AI.
On the other hand, California-based Intel is concentrating on silicon spin qubit technology, which is highly compatible with existing semiconductor manufacturing processes, making it advantageous for mass production. Intel’s latest Horse Ridge II control chip provides an integrated solution operating in cryogenic environments for qubit control and readout, significantly reducing the complexity and cost of quantum computers. In the third quarter of 2025, Intel’s quantum computing division reported a 220% increase in revenue from the same period last year, reaching $480 million, accounting for approximately 1.2% of the company’s total revenue.
IBM maintains a leading position in the gate-based quantum computer field and announced success in developing quantum processors with over 1,000 qubits as of 2025. IBM’s Quantum Network has grown into the world’s largest quantum computing ecosystem, involving over 200 companies, universities, and research institutions worldwide, generating approximately $1.2 billion in annual revenue. Particularly, IBM is expanding its market share by providing its quantum computing software platform, Qiskit, as open-source, fostering the developer community. Currently, Qiskit users exceed 500,000 globally, playing a crucial role in the popularization of quantum computing.
Meanwhile, California-based NVIDIA is focusing on quantum simulation and hybrid computing solutions rather than directly manufacturing quantum computers. NVIDIA’s cuQuantum SDK enables the simulation of quantum circuits using existing GPUs, significantly reducing the cost of developing and testing quantum algorithms. In 2025, NVIDIA’s quantum computing-related software revenue increased by 340% from the previous year, reaching $750 million, establishing itself as a rapidly growing segment within the company’s data center division. Notably, NVIDIA demonstrates excellent performance in solving optimization problems through quantum-classical hybrid algorithms, creating substantial business value in logistics, finance, and energy sectors.
The competition among these tech companies extends beyond merely enhancing hardware performance, expanding into comprehensive strategies for building the entire quantum computing ecosystem. Each company is constructing platforms integrating quantum hardware, software, cloud services, and development tools, supporting customers in easily utilizing quantum computing technology. This platform competition is expected to be a key factor in determining the future dominance of the quantum computing market.
The use cases of quantum computing in the financial services sector are rapidly increasing. JPMorgan Chase has begun utilizing quantum computing for portfolio optimization and risk analysis through a partnership with IBM, achieving a 90% reduction in calculation time compared to traditional methods. Additionally, Goldman Sachs reported a significant improvement in the accuracy of derivative pricing using Google’s quantum computer for Monte Carlo simulations. These success stories serve as crucial evidence that quantum computing can be applied to solve real business problems beyond theoretical concepts.
Market Outlook and Investment Opportunity Analysis
The rapid growth of the quantum computing market is creating various investment opportunities, attracting the attention of venture capitalists and corporate investors. In the first half of 2025, global quantum computing startups raised a total of $4.7 billion in investments, an 85% increase from the same period last year. Particularly, investments in quantum software and application development companies are surging, reflecting the growing demand for practical solutions alongside the maturation of quantum hardware technology. Canadian Xanadu, UK-based Cambridge Quantum Computing, and US-based Rigetti Computing have each secured over $100 million in large-scale investments, drawing market attention.
Quantum computing investments are also actively taking place in Korea. Quantum computing startup Qubridge, spun off from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), raised 15 billion won in a Series A round in the second half of 2025, marking the largest investment in the domestic quantum computing field. Additionally, Samsung Venture Investment announced the establishment of a quantum computing-focused fund, planning to invest a total of 500 billion won over the next three years, evaluated as a crucial strategy to enhance Korea’s presence in the global quantum computing ecosystem. Particularly, Korean companies are expected to play a significant role in the quantum computing hardware supply chain, leveraging their manufacturing experience in the semiconductor and display sectors.
The biggest challenge in the commercialization process of quantum computing remains ensuring technical stability and economic viability. Currently, most quantum computers operate only in cryogenic environments close to absolute zero, with cooling system operating costs alone reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Additionally, the high error rates due to the instability of quantum states still impose constraints on implementing practical quantum algorithms. However, advancements in error correction technologies like Google’s Willow chip and IBM’s development of modular quantum systems are gradually addressing these issues, with significant commercialization expected by around 2030.
Examining the prospects for quantum computing adoption by industry, the pharmaceutical and chemical industries are expected to experience the fastest growth. Utilizing quantum computing for molecular simulations and protein folding predictions in drug discovery could reduce development periods from the current 10-15 years to 5-7 years, potentially saving approximately $200 billion annually. Global pharmaceutical companies such as Roche, Merck, and Pfizer are already partnering with IBM and Google on quantum computing-based drug development projects, with initial results reported as highly encouraging.
In the financial services sector, the application of quantum computing is expected to expand in risk management and algorithmic trading. Particularly, achieving quantum advantage in derivative pricing and portfolio optimization through Monte Carlo simulations is anticipated to directly contribute to improving the profitability of financial institutions. According to McKinsey’s analysis, the economic impact of quantum computing on the financial services industry is estimated to reach $340 billion annually by 2030.
Analyzing the key factors driving the growth of the quantum computing market over the next five years, technological breakthroughs and ecosystem expansion are expected to play crucial roles. Particularly, the proliferation of quantum cloud services is anticipated to significantly broaden the market base, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises and startups to access quantum computing technology. Additionally, the expansion of quantum computing specialist training and education programs is analyzed to contribute significantly to market growth, serving as a key driver for the long-term popularization and commercialization of quantum computing technology. As of the end of 2025, the quantum computing market is still in its early stages, but with technological advancements, increased investments, and the emergence of practical applications, it is expected to continue explosive growth over the next decade.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation or advice for investment. Investment decisions should be made at one’s own discretion and responsibility.
