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.
Quantum Innovation Executive Order
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.
Post-Quantum Cryptography Executive Order
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:
- High value assets and high impact federal systems must transition to approved PQC standards by December 31, 2030.
- Federal digital signature systems must transition by December 31, 2031.
- Within 180 days of the Executive Order, the FAR Council is to propose a rule requiring covered federal contractors to comply by December 31, 2030, with applicable NIST Federal Information Processing Standards.
- Within 270 days of the Executive Order, the FAR Council is to propose another rule amending contract clauses to require covered federal contractors to implement vulnerability disclosure policies addressing cryptographic weaknesses, including testing for inadequate encryption and the use of non-approved algorithms.
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.
Key Takeaways
- The PQC Executive Order signals the direction of future compliance obligations. Although the PQC Executive Order does not create compliance obligations for most early-stage companies today, it provides a roadmap for where federal investment, procurement, and strategic collaboration are likely to develop over the coming years. Companies that want to work as a prime contractor or a subcontractor to the federal government can take steps now to ensure they are compliant before the FAR Council finalizes the rules required by the Executive Order. Companies can review their encryption posture against the NIST standards and upgrade if necessary. Similarly, companies should review their vulnerability disclosure policies for currency or develop such policies if they do not have them. Finally, companies should consider how to vet and ensure compliance by their subcontractors and vendors.
- Align your commercialization strategy with federal priorities. The Executive Orders reinforce continued federal support for modality-neutral quantum computing, networking, sensing, and quantum-enabling technologies, providing another signal of where long-term public investment and procurement opportunities may emerge.
- Use strategic partnerships to accelerate growth. Collaborations with national laboratories, universities, cloud providers, semiconductor manufacturers, defense contractors, and systems integrators can strengthen technical validation, enhance credibility with investors, and position companies for future government opportunities. Be deliberate about protecting intellectual property and commercialization rights before entering these relationships.
- Prepare for heightened investor diligence. Investors may increasingly ask how your technology aligns with government priorities, whether you have identified potential government or defense customers, how you manage export control and cybersecurity risks, and whether your intellectual property and collaboration strategy will support long-term commercialization.
- Look beyond compliance for commercial opportunities. The federal transition to post-quantum cryptography is expected to create demand for migration tools, cryptographic software, secure communications technologies, testing platforms, and related services, creating new opportunities for companies serving government, regulated industries, and critical infrastructure.
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.
[1] Exec. Order No. 14413, 91 F.R. 38487 (2026).
[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.
