# Atom Computing says DARPA selected it for final quantum benchmarking stage

_Published Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 5:17 AM EDT · Science · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

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Atom Computing announced that DARPA selected it for the final stage of its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, moving the company's quantum computer design into independent government verification and validation. Stage C carries potential funding of up to $300 million.

The government team will assess whether Atom's proposed utility-scale quantum computer can be built as designed and operated as intended. Microsoft has agreed to provide algorithmic support and codes for correcting quantum computing errors. Selection advances the design to evaluation; it does not establish that the proposed system works.

## Sources

- [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/atom-computing-selected-darpa-final-213900698.html)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/qDKS2h_y5un1_W_h712lAP
Published: 2026-10-08T09:17:54.733Z
Story chronology: 2026-10-07T21:39:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-08T11:38:42.030Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)