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IonQ, Inc. (IONQ)

CIK: 0001824920. SIC: 7373 Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design. Latest 10-K as of: 2026-02-25.

SIC breadcrumb: Services > Business Services > SIC 7373 Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design

SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1824920. Latest filing source: 0001193125-26-071562.

Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.

Business

Read IONQ's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.

Risk Factors

Read IONQ's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.

Selected Fundamentals

MetricValueUnitFYFiled
Revenue130,016,000USD20252026-02-25
Net income-510,378,000USD20252026-02-25
Assets6,570,358,000USD20252026-02-25

Financials

Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-25. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001824920.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.

Download these verified figures (annual + quarterly, with per-value filing provenance): JSON · CSV

Flow metrics use full-year FY periods from 10-K/10-K/A filings; balance-sheet metrics use FY-end instants. Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures. Missing metrics are omitted rather than fabricated.

Metric2019202020212022202320242025
Revenue2,099,00011,131,00022,042,00043,073,000130,016,000
Net income-15,424,000-106,186,000-48,511,000-157,771,000-331,647,000-510,378,000
Operating income-15,733,000-38,687,000-85,746,000-157,754,000-232,455,000-633,715,000
Diluted EPS-0.77-0.25-0.78-1.56-1.82
Operating cash flow-12,007,000-26,537,000-44,698,000-78,811,000-105,683,000-283,187,000
Capital expenditures10,032,0007,783,0009,336,00013,703,00017,992,00016,417,000
Assets60,478,000642,028,000597,992,000553,580,000508,388,0006,570,358,000
Liabilities6,775,00050,798,00029,781,00068,586,000124,526,0002,756,666,000
Stockholders' equity53,703,000591,230,000568,211,000484,994,000383,862,0003,799,517,000
Cash and cash equivalents59,527,00036,120,000399,025,00044,367,00035,665,00054,393,0001,030,865,000
Free cash flow-22,039,000-34,320,000-54,034,000-92,514,000-123,675,000-299,604,000

Ratios

ROE and ROA use period-end equity/assets. Liabilities / equity uses total liabilities divided by stockholders' equity. Current ratio uses current assets divided by current liabilities when both are reported.

Metric2019202020212022202320242025
Return on equity-28.72%-17.96%-8.54%-32.53%-86.40%-13.43%
Return on assets-25.50%-16.54%-8.11%-28.50%-65.24%-7.77%
Liabilities / equity0.130.090.050.140.320.73
Current ratio20.5154.6518.4310.4910.5015.50

Industry Peer Context

Each number-line places IONQ against the min, median, and max of latest reported values among companies in the same SIC industry when at least three peers report that ratio.

ROE peer context

IONQ ROE versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 7373; peer count 19.IONQ ROE versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 7373; peer count 19.19 SIC peersMin -51.9%Median 8.8%Max 406.8%IONQ -13.4%

ROA peer context

IONQ ROA versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 7373; peer count 20.IONQ ROA versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 7373; peer count 20.20 SIC peersMin -49.1%Median 2.6%Max 18.3%IONQ -7.8%

Financial Bridges

Waterfall figures reconcile reported SEC companyfacts components. Missing bridges are omitted when required components are not present for the same fiscal year.

Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures

IONQ FY2025 free cash flow bridge from reported figures.IONQ FY2025 free cash flow bridge from reported figures.IONQ free cash flow bridgeFY2025: operating cash flow less capital expendituresSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Free cash flow bridgeReported amount-$500.0M$0.0B$250.0M-$283.2MOperating cash flow-$16.4MCapex-$299.6MFree cash flow

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001193125-26-071562; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001193125-26-071562; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001193125-26-071562; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment

Financial Charts

IONQ revenue, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ revenue, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ RevenueLatest point: FY2025 = $130.0MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearReported revenue$0.0B$125.0M$250.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-071562; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.

IONQ net income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ net income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ Net incomeLatest point: FY2025 = -$510.4MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearNet income-$750.0M-$375.0M$0.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-071562; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.

IONQ operating income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ operating income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ Operating incomeLatest point: FY2025 = -$633.7MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearOperating income-$750.0M-$375.0M$0.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-071562; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.

IONQ diluted eps, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ diluted eps, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ Diluted EPSLatest point: FY2025 = -$1.82/shareSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearDiluted EPS (USD/share)-$2.00/share-$1.00/share$0.00/shareFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-071562; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.

IONQ operating cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ operating cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ Operating cash flowLatest point: FY2025 = -$283.2MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearOperating cash flow-$500.0M-$250.0M$0.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-071562; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.

IONQ capital expenditures, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ capital expenditures, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ Capital expendituresLatest point: FY2025 = $16.4MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearCapital expenditures$0.0B$125.0M$250.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-071562; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.

IONQ assets, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ assets, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ AssetsLatest point: FY2025 = $6.6BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearAssets$0.0B$4.0B$8.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-071562; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.

IONQ liabilities, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ liabilities, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ LiabilitiesLatest point: FY2025 = $2.8BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearLiabilities$0.0B$2.0B$4.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-071562; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.

IONQ stockholders' equity, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ stockholders' equity, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ Stockholders' equityLatest point: FY2025 = $3.8BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearStockholders' equity$0.0B$2.0B$4.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-071562; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.

IONQ cash and cash equivalents, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ cash and cash equivalents, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ Cash and cash equivalentsLatest point: FY2025 = $1.0BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearCash and cash equivalents$0.0B$1.0B$2.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-071562; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.

IONQ free cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ free cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.IONQ Free cash flowLatest point: FY2025 = -$299.6MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearFree cash flow-$500.0M-$250.0M$0.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-071562; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.

Quarterly

Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-07. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001824920.json.

Flow metrics use discrete quarter-length periods from 10-Q/10-Q/A filings. Q4 revenue and net income are derived only when annual FY and nine-month YTD facts exist for the same fiscal year; derived Q4 values are labeled. EPS Q4 is not derived.

QuarterEnd DateRevenueNet IncomeDiluted EPSMethod
2022-Q22022-06-30-0.01reported discrete quarter
2022-Q32022-09-30-0.12reported discrete quarter
2023-Q12023-03-31-0.14reported discrete quarter
2023-Q22023-06-305,515,000-43,718,000-0.22reported discrete quarter
2023-Q32023-09-306,136,000-44,811,000-0.22reported discrete quarter
2023-Q42023-12-316,106,000-41,904,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2024-Q12024-03-317,582,000-39,592,000-0.19reported discrete quarter
2024-Q22024-06-3011,381,000-37,561,000-0.18reported discrete quarter
2024-Q32024-09-3012,400,000-52,496,000-0.24reported discrete quarter
2024-Q42024-12-3111,710,000-201,998,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2025-Q12025-03-317,566,000-32,252,000-0.14reported discrete quarter
2025-Q22025-06-3020,694,000-176,838,000-0.70reported discrete quarter
2025-Q32025-09-3039,866,000-1,054,955,000-3.58reported discrete quarter
2025-Q42025-12-3161,890,000753,667,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2026-Q12026-03-3164,668,000805,360,0002.07reported discrete quarter

Quarterly Charts

IONQ quarterly revenue, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.IONQ quarterly revenue, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.IONQ Quarterly RevenueLatest point: 2026-Q1 = $64.7MSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Revenue$0.0B$125.0M$250.0M2023-Q22023-Q32023-Q42024-Q12024-Q22024-Q32024-Q42025-Q12025-Q22025-Q32025-Q42026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001193125-26-211876; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.

IONQ quarterly net income, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.IONQ quarterly net income, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.IONQ Quarterly Net incomeLatest point: 2026-Q1 = $805.4MSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Net income-$2.0B$0.0B$2.0B2023-Q22023-Q32023-Q42024-Q12024-Q22024-Q32024-Q42025-Q12025-Q22025-Q32025-Q42026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001193125-26-211876; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.

IONQ quarterly diluted eps, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.IONQ quarterly diluted eps, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.IONQ Quarterly Diluted EPSLatest point: 2026-Q1 = $2.07/shareSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Diluted EPS (USD/share)-$4.00/share$0.00/share$4.00/share2022-Q22022-Q32023-Q12023-Q22023-Q32024-Q12024-Q22024-Q32025-Q12025-Q22025-Q32026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001193125-26-211876; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.

Macro Cross-References

Latest quarter (10-Q)

Latest 10-Q source: 0001193125-26-211876.

Extracted structurally from real Item 2 body heading to real Item 3/4 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2026-05-07. Report date: 2026-03-31.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “could,” or similar language are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change throughout the year, and any forward-looking statements based upon these projections or expectations may change prior to the end of the next quarter or year. Readers of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties are identified under “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A herein and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof. Unless otherwise required by law, we do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise after the date of such statement.

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2026.

Overview

We are developing quantum computers designed to solve some of the world’s most complex problems and transform business, society and the planet for the better. We believe that our proprietary technology, our architecture and the technology exclusively available to us through license agreements will offer us advantages both in research and development and in the commercial value of our product offerings.

Today, we sell specialized quantum computing hardware, together with complementary products and services, such as quantum networking, quantum sensing and quantum security products and associated maintenance and support. We also sell access to several quantum computers of various qubit capacities and are in the process of researching and developing technologies for quantum computers with increasing computational capabilities. We currently make access to our quantum computers available through three major cloud platforms, Amazon Web Services’, or AWS’s, Braket, Microsoft’s Azure Quantum and Google’s Cloud Marketplace, and also to select customers via our own cloud service. This cloud-based approach enables the broad availability of quantum-computing-as-a-service, or QCaaS.

We supplement our offerings with professional services focused on assisting our customers in applying quantum computing and our quantum networking, quantum sensing and quantum security solutions to their businesses. We also sell full quantum computing systems to customers, either over the cloud or on premises. Additionally, through a network of satellites, we offer data-as-a-service products to customers, including synthetic-aperture radar imaging, and through combining our satellite platform with our quantum sensing products, we intend to offer advanced quantum positioning, navigation and timing services in the future.

We are still in the early stages of commercial growth. Since our inception we have incurred significant operating losses. Our ability to generate revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily on the successful development and further commercialization of our quantum computing systems and networks. Our losses from operations were $271.5 million and $75.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. As of March 31, 2026, we had an accumulated deficit of $388.7 million. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future as we prioritize reaching the technical milestones necessary to achieve an increasingly higher number of stable qubits and higher levels of fidelity than presently exists—prerequisites for quantum computing to reach broad quantum advantage.

From time to time, we have acquired or invested in complementary businesses, and intend to continue to consider making such acquisitions and investments. For more information on recent acquisitions and investments and their impact on our business, refer to

33

Note 3, Business Combinations and Note 5, Fair Value Measurements in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

On January 25, 2026, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with SkyWater Technology, Inc., Iris Merger Subsidiary 1 Inc. and Iris Merger Subsidiary 2 LLC, pursuant to which, following completion of the proposed mergers, SkyWater will become a wholly owned subsidiary of IonQ. We believe the proposed acquisition will advance our quantum computing technology roadmap by providing access to SkyWater’s U.S.-based semiconductor foundry capabilities, advanced packaging expertise and Technology as a Service platform. Completion of the proposed transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by SkyWater stockholders, expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act, applicable regulatory approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions set forth in the merger agreement. The Mergers are expected to be completed in the second or third quarter of 2026, subject to the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act and the satisfaction (or waiver) of other customary closing conditions.

Impact of the Macroeconomic Climate on Our Business

Inflationary factors, interest rates and overhead costs may adversely affect our operating results. High interest and inflation rates also present a challenge impacting the U.S. economy and could make it more difficult for us to obtain traditional financing on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future. These inflationary effects may be exacerbated by new tariffs and evolving trade policy. Although we do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations to date, we may experience increases in the future on our operating costs, including due to supply chain constraints, consequences associated with bank failures, trade wars and the effect of recently heightened, scheduled, and threatened tariffs by the U.S. or its trading partners, geopolitical tensions in and around Ukraine, Israel and other areas of the world, and employee availability and wage increases, which may result in additional stress on our working capital resources.

Key Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

We derive revenue from the design, development, construction and sale of quantum ecosystem hardware together with related maintenance and support, from providing access to our quantum-computing-as-a-service (“QCaaS” services), from consulting services related to co-developing algorithms and other services related to our quantum products, and from providing satellite imagery and data from our constellation of satellites through our online platform. We apply the provisions of the FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), and all related applicable guidance. The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity shall recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

To support this core principle, we apply the following five step approach:

1.
Identify the contract with the customer

2.
Identify the performance obligations

3.
Determine the transaction price

4.
Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations

5.
Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation

Certain of our contracts contain multiple promised goods and services, most commonly in contracts for the sale of quantum computers, together with related on-site maintenance and support, technical training, consulting services, and QCaaS. We evaluate the promised goods and services in each contract to determine whether they are distinct performance obligations based on whether the customer can benefit from the good or service on its own or together with other readily available resources and whether the promise is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. Consistent with the guidance in ASC 606, in identifying performance obligations, we consider the nature of the promised goods and services, the degree of integration between promises, whether any good or service significantly modifies or customizes another promised good or service, or whether the goods and services are highly interdependent or interrelated. In these arrangements, revenue related to the sale of quantum computers is recognized over time, based on when control transfers to the customer. Consistent with ASC 606, revenue related to the other performance obligations, such as maintenance, is recognized over time on a straight line basis over the contractual service periods, consistent with the stand ready nature of these obligations. Fees are generally billed over the course of the arrangement based on an agreed upon billing schedule, and may have terms that are considered variable consideration, as well as financing components.

34

The transaction price represents the amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for transferring the promised goods or services to the customer, including estimates of variable consideration. We estimate variable consideration using either the expected value or most likely amount method, depending on the nature of the arrangement, and includes such amounts in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur. We apply judgment and take into account historical experience, contractual terms, and expected customer behavior to best predict the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled under these contracts.

When there are multiple performance obligations in a contract, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation based on relative standalone selling prices. We determine standalone selling price based on the observable price of a product or service when we sell the products or services separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. Certain products and services have limited or no history of being sold on a standalone basis, requiring us to estimate the standalone selling price. We estimate the standalone selling price based on other contracts for similar products and services adjusted for differing terms than the contract being evaluated, as well as internal pricing guidelines and market factors. In addition, we take into consideration

[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]

Latest 10-K MD&A

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2026-02-25. Report date: 2025-12-31.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This Annual Report contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this Annual Report other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “could,” or similar language are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change throughout the year, and any forward-looking statements based upon these projections or expectations may change prior to the end of the next quarter or year. Readers of this Annual Report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties are identified under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A herein and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. All forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof. Unless otherwise required by law, we do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise after the date of such statement.

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “IonQ,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to IonQ Quantum, Inc. prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and IonQ, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries after the consummation of the De-SPAC Transaction.

This section provides an analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. A discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 can be found under Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed on February 26, 2025, which is available free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and our investor relations website at investors.ionq.com.

Overview

We are developing quantum computers designed to solve some of the world’s most complex problems and transform business, society and the planet for the better. We believe that our proprietary technology, our architecture and the technology exclusively available to us through license agreements will offer us advantages both in research and development and in the commercial value of our product offerings.

Today, we sell specialized quantum computing hardware, together with complementary products and services, such as quantum networking, quantum sensing and quantum security products and associated maintenance and support. We also sell access to several quantum computers of various qubit capacities and are in the process of researching and developing technologies for quantum computers with increasing computational capabilities. We currently make access to our quantum computers available through three major cloud platforms, Amazon Web Services’, or AWS’s, Braket, Microsoft’s Azure Quantum and Google’s Cloud Marketplace, and also to select customers via our own cloud service. This cloud-based approach enables the broad availability of quantum-computing-as-a-service, or QCaaS.

We supplement our offerings with professional services focused on assisting our customers in applying quantum computing and our quantum networking, quantum sensing and quantum security solutions to their businesses. We also sell full quantum computing systems to customers, either over the cloud or on premises. Additionally, through a network of satellites, we offer data-as-a-service products to customers, including synthetic-aperture radar imaging, and through combining our satellite platform with our quantum sensing products, we intend to offer advanced quantum positioning, navigation and timing services in the future.

We are still in the early stages of commercial growth. Since our inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. Our net losses attributable to IonQ, Inc. were $510.4 million, $331.6 million and $157.8 million, for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, we had an accumulated deficit of $1,194.1 million. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future as we prioritize reaching the technical milestones necessary to achieve an increasingly higher number of physical and logical qubits and higher levels of qubit performance than presently exists—prerequisites for quantum computing to reach broad quantum advantage.

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From time to time, we have acquired or invested in complementary businesses, and intend to continue to consider making such acquisitions and investments. For more information on recent acquisitions and investments and their impact on our business, refer to Note 3, Business Combinations, Note 5, Fair Value Measurements, and Note 22, Subsequent Events, in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Impact of the Macroeconomic Climate on Our Business

Inflationary factors, interest rates and overhead costs may adversely affect our operating results. High interest and inflation rates also present a challenge impacting the U.S. economy and could make it more difficult for us to obtain traditional financing on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future. These inflationary effects may be exacerbated by new tariffs and evolving trade policy. Although we do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations to date, we may experience increases in the future on our operating costs, including due to supply chain constraints, consequences associated with bank failures, trade wars and the effect of recently heightened, scheduled, and threatened tariffs by the U.S. or its trading partners, geopolitical tensions in and around Ukraine, Israel and other areas of the world, and employee availability and wage increases, which may result in additional stress on our working capital resources.

Key Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

We derive revenue from the design, development, construction and sale of quantum ecosystem hardware together with related maintenance and support, from providing access to our QCaaS services, from consulting services related to co-developing algorithms and other services related to the Company's quantum products, and from providing satellite imagery and data from our constellation of satellites through our online platform.

Certain of our contracts contain multiple performance obligations, most commonly in contracts for the sale of quantum products together with related maintenance, consulting and other support. Certain contracts may also include access to our QCaaS. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when or as the performance obligation is satisfied. When there are multiple performance obligations in a contract, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation based on its standalone selling price when available. We determine standalone selling price based on the observable price of a product or service when we sell the products or services separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. Certain products and services have limited or no history of being sold on a standalone basis, requiring us to estimate the standalone selling price. We estimate the standalone selling price based on other contracts for similar products and services adjusted for differing terms than the contract being evaluated, as well as internal pricing guidelines and market factors. In addition, we take into consideration the estimated costs to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation plus an appropriate profit margin.

Performance obligations are satisfied over time if the customer receives the benefits as we perform the work, if the customer controls the asset as it is being produced (continuous transfer of control), or if the product being produced for the customer has no alternative use and we have a contractual right to payment for performance to date. For performance obligations related to specialized quantum computing hardware and consulting services, as well as customer solutions for specialized satellite development capabilities, revenue is recognized over time based on the efforts incurred to date relative to the total expected effort, primarily based on a cost-to-cost input measure. We apply judgment to determine a reasonable method to measure progress and to estimate total expected effort. Factors considered in these estimates include our historical performance, the availability, productivity and cost of labor, the nature and complexity of work to be performed, the effect of change orders, availability and cost of materials, and the effect of any delays in performance. For performance obligations related to certain quantum networking and sensing products and related services, revenue is recognized at the point in time when control passes to the customer, which is generally at the shipping point based on customary incoterms, or upon completion of the required services.

We have determined that our QCaaS contracts represent a combined, stand-ready performance obligation to provide access to our quantum computing systems together with related maintenance and support. Additionally, we have determined that our contracts to provide satellite imagery and data also represent a stand-ready performance obligation. The transaction price generally consists of a fixed fee for a minimum volume of usage or images to be made available over a defined period of access. Fixed fee arrangements may also include a variable component whereby customers pay an amount for usage over contractual minimums contained in the contracts. For performance obligations related to providing QCaaS access or satellite imagery and data, fixed fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the access period. Variable usage fees are recognized in the period they occur.

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Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of revenue

Cost of revenue primarily consists of expenses related to the delivery of the our quantum hardware products and delivery of our services, including personnel-related expenses, hardware costs, allocated overhead costs for customer facing functions, and costs associated with maintaining the Company's in-service quantum computing systems and satellites to ensure proper calibration as well as costs incurred for maintaining the cloud on which the Company delivers its services. Personnel-related expenses include salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation. Cost of revenue excludes depreciation and amortization.

Research and development

Research and development expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, and allocated overhead costs for our research and development functions. Research and development is attributable to the advancing technology research, platform and infrastructure development, and the research and development of new product iterations, including quantum products and satellites. Design and development efforts continue throughout the useful life of our quantum computing systems and satellites to ensure proper calibration and optimal functionality. Research and development expenses also include purchased hardware and software costs for research purposes that are not probable of providing a future economic benefit and have no alternate future use as well as costs associated with third-party research and development arrangements.

Sales and marketing

Sales and marketing expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, commissions, benefits and stock-based compensation, costs for direct advertising, marketing and promotional expenditures and allocated overhead costs for our sales and marketing functions. We expect to continue to make the necessary sales and marketing investments to enable us to increase our market penetration and expand our customer base.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, and allocated overhead costs for our corporate, executive, finance, and other administrative functions. General and administrative expenses also include expenses for outside professional services, including legal, auditing and accounting services, recruitment expenses, information technology, travel expenses, certain non-income taxes, insurance, and other administrative expenses. We expect our general and administrative expenses to increase for the foreseeable future as we scale our support functions with the growth of our business.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense results from depreciation and amortization of our property and equipment, including our quantum computing systems and satellites, and intangible assets that are recognized over their estimated lives.

Nonoperating Costs and Expenses

Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities

The gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities consists of mark-to-market fair value adjustments recorded associated with the public warrants and Series A and Series B prefunded and private warrants.

Interest income, net

Interest income, net primarily consists of income earned on our money market funds and other available-for-sale investments.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net consists of gains and losses that arise from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and certain other nonoperating expenses.

Offering costs associated with warrants

Offering costs associated with warrants consist of transaction costs that have been allocated to the Series A and Series B

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prefunded and private warrants and were expensed upon completion of the equity offerings based on the relative fair value of the equity issued and the liability-classified warrants.

Income tax benefit (expense)

Income tax benefit (expense) consists of income tax benefits related to deferred taxes and income tax benefit (expense) related to foreign jurisdictions in which we conduct business.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:

Year Ended December 31,
20252024
(in thousands)
Revenue$130,016$43,073
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)(1)77,48820,597
Research and development(1)305,705136,827
Sales and marketing(1)53,44728,395
General and administrative(1)245,08771,055
Depreciation and amortization82,00418,654
Total operating costs and expenses763,731275,528
Loss from operations(633,715)(232,455)
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities66,710(117,107)
Interest income, net55,99718,249
Offering costs associated with warrants(45,714)
Other income (expense), net29(275)
Loss before income tax expense(556,693)(331,588)
Income tax benefit (expense)44,572(59)
Net loss$(512,121)$(331,647)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests(1,743)
Net loss attributable to IonQ, Inc.$(510,378)$(331,647)

(1)
Cost of revenue, research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses for the periods include stock-based compensation expense as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
20252024
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue$21,806$4,740
Research and development169,82858,696
Sales and marketing23,89913,788
General and administrative96,49929,654

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024

Revenue

Year Ended December 31,$%
20252024ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Revenue$130,016$43,073$86,943202%

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Revenue increased by $86.9 million, or 202%, to $130.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from $43.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by progress on our arrangements to build specialized quantum computing hardware, as well as increased revenue as a result of acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2025.

Cost of revenue

Year Ended December 31,$%
20252024ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)$77,488$20,597$56,891276%

Cost of revenue increased by $56.9 million, or 276%, to $77.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from $20.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was driven primarily by an increase in labor costs to service contracts, as well as an increase in materials costs related to quantum products, for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Research and development

Year Ended December 31,$%
20252024ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Research and development$305,705$136,827$168,878123%

Research and development expense increased by $168.9 million, or 123%, to $305.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from $136.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $146.4 million in payroll-related expenses, including an increase in stock-based compensation of $111.1 million, as a result of increased headcount and new equity grants, including the replacement awards issued in connection with acquisitions, and a $11.2 million increase in materials, supplies, and equipment costs. The remaining increase is due to an increase in costs to support research and development initiatives, including a $7.4 million increase in professional service fees and allocated overhead costs.

Sales and marketing

Year Ended December 31,$%
20252024ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Sales and marketing$53,447$28,395$25,05288%

Sales and marketing expense increased by $25.1 million, or 88%, to $53.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from $28.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $19.4 million of payroll-related expenses, including an increase in stock-based compensation of $10.1 million, as a result of increased headcount and new equity grants, as well as increased costs to promote our products and services and other marketing initiatives, including a $2.9 million increase in professional service fees.

General and administrative

Year Ended December 31,$%
20252024ChangeChange
(in thousands)
General and administrative$245,087$71,055$174,032245%

General and administrative expenses increased by $174.0 million, or 245%, to $245.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from $71.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $92.0 million of payroll-related expenses, including an increase in stock-based compensation of $66.8 million, as a result of increased headcount and new equity grants, as well as an increase of $74.9 million in professional service fees and allocated overhead costs, including $43.5 million in acquisition transaction and integration costs.

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Depreciation and amortization

Year Ended December 31,$%
20252024ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Depreciation and amortization$82,004$18,654$63,350340%

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $63.4 million, or 340%, to $82.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from $18.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $45.6 million in amortization expense associated with acquired intangible assets, and an increase of $10.2 million in depreciation expense associated with capitalized quantum computing systems and satellites.

Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities

Year Ended December 31,$%
20252024ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities$66,710$(117,107)$183,817157%

The change in fair value of warrant liabilities was primarily due to the mark-to-market gains recognized on the Series A and Series B warrants issued in 2025.

Interest income, net

Year Ended December 31,$%
20252024ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Interest income, net$55,997$18,249$37,748207%

Interest income, net increased by $37.7 million, or 207%, to $56.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from $18.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in the available-for-sale investments balance.

Offering costs associated with warrants

Year Ended December 31,$%
20252024ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Offering costs associated with warrants$(45,714)$$(45,714)NM

NM—Not Meaningful

In connection with the issuance of the Series A and Series B prefunded and private warrants, $45.7 million of transaction costs were allocated and expensed related to the warrants for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Income tax benefit (expense)

Year Ended December 31,$%
20252024ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Income tax benefit (expense)$44,572$(59)$44,631NM

NM—Not Meaningful

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Income tax benefit (expense) increased by $44.6 million to a benefit of $44.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, from an expense of less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by a partial release of U.S. federal and state valuation allowances.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2025, we had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments of $3,336.8 million. Excluded from our available liquidity is $6.9 million of restricted cash, which is primarily recorded in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We believe that our cash, cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2025, will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs for the next 12 months. We believe we will meet longer term expected future cash requirements and obligations through a combination of cash flows from operating activities and available funds from our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investment balances. However, this determination is based upon internal projections and is subject to changes in market and business conditions. We have incurred significant losses since our inception and as of December 31, 2025, we had an accumulated deficit of $1,194.1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we incurred net losses attributable to IonQ, Inc. of $510.4 million. We expect to incur significant losses and higher operating expenses for the foreseeable future.

On January 25, 2026, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SkyWater for total consideration of approximately $1.8 billion in a cash-and-stock transaction. The SkyWater Acquisition is expected to require approximately $1.0 billion in cash, including approximately $0.8 billion related to purchase consideration and approximately $0.2 billion related to debt repayment and other transaction costs. The transaction is expected to close within the next twelve months, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by SkyWater’s shareholders and regulatory approval.

Future Funding Requirements

We expect our principal sources of liquidity will continue to be our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments and any additional capital we may obtain through additional equity or debt financings. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including investments in growth and technology. We may, in the future, enter into arrangements to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, services, and technologies, which may require us to seek additional equity or debt financing.

Our primary uses of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments are to fund our operations as we continue to grow our business and our investing activities, including capital expenditures, potential acquisitions, and strategic investments. We require a significant amount of cash for expenditures as we invest in ongoing research and development and commercialization of our products. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from commercializing our products and services, if ever, we expect to finance our liquidity needs through our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments, as well as equity or debt financings or other capital sources, including potential collaborations and other similar arrangements. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements when needed on favorable terms or at all. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders could be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our stockholders. Debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, or declaring dividends. If we raise funds through collaborations, or other similar arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our quantum computing and networking technology on terms that may not be favorable to us and/or may reduce the value of our common stock. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our quantum computing and networking development efforts. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors.”

Our material contractual commitments as of December 31, 2025, primarily relate to operating lease commitments. As of December 31, 2025, we have total operating lease obligations of $35.5 million, with $9.6 million payable within 12 months. Other than operating lease commitments, cash requirements for fiscal year 2026 are expected to consist primarily of operating expenses and continued investment in our quantum products, as well as the acquisition of SkyWater. The SkyWater Acquisition is expected to require approximately $1.0 billion in cash, including approximately $0.8 billion related to purchase consideration and approximately $0.2 billion related to debt repayment and other transaction costs.

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Cash flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the period indicated:

Year Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$(283,187)$(105,683)$(78,811)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(2,095,088)82,73068,766
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities3,358,60241,6871,761

Cash flows from operating activities

Our cash flows from operating activities are significantly affected by the growth of our business, primarily related to research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative activities. Our operating cash flows are also affected by our working capital needs to support growth in personnel-related expenditures and fluctuations in accounts payable and other current assets and liabilities.

Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2025, was $283.2 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $512.1 million, adjusted for non-cash activity, primarily related to stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, and other working capital activities. The increase in net cash used in operations from the prior year period was primarily related to increased compensation costs and costs for materials and supplies to support the production of quantum computing systems and satellites, customer contracts, and other research and development activities.

Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2024, was $105.7 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $331.6 million, adjusted for non-cash activity, primarily related to stock-based compensation, the loss recorded as a result of mark-to-market activity for our public warrants, depreciation and amortization, and other working capital activities.

Cash flows from investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2025, was $2,095.1 million, primarily resulting from purchases of available-for-sale securities and privately-held securities of $2,757.8 million, and additions of $16.4 million to property and equipment, offset by cash received from maturities of available-for-sale securities of $682.8 million.

Net cash provided by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024, was $82.7 million, primarily resulting from cash received from maturities of available-for-sale securities of $418.1 million, offset by purchases of available-for-sale securities of $296.3 million, and additions of $18.0 million to property and equipment primarily related to leasehold improvements and the development of our quantum computing systems, and other supporting equipment, cash paid of $15.5 million for businesses acquired, and additions of $3.9 million related to capitalized software development costs.

Cash flows from financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2025, was $3,358.6 million, primarily resulting from proceeds from the issuance of common stock and warrants, stock options exercised, and warrants exercised.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024, was $41.7 million, primarily resulting from proceeds from warrants and stock options exercised.

Critical Accounting Estimates

This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We also make estimates and assumptions on revenue generated and reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Our critical accounting policies are described in greater detail in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

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Critical accounting estimates are defined as those reflective of significant judgments, estimates and uncertainties, which may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have listed below our critical accounting estimates that we believe to have the greatest potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. Historically, our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to our critical accounting estimates have not differed materially from actual results.

Revenue Recognition

We derive revenue from the design, development, construction and sale of quantum ecosystem hardware together with related maintenance and support, from providing access to our QCaaS services, from consulting services related to co-developing algorithms and other services related to the Company's quantum products, and from providing satellite imagery and data from our constellation of satellites through our online platform.

For arrangements with multiple performance obligations, judgment is applied to determine the relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation as this is used to allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation within the contract. We determine standalone selling price based on the observable price of a product or service when we sell the products or services separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. Certain products and services have limited or no history of being sold on a standalone basis, requiring us to estimate the standalone selling price. We estimate the standalone selling price based on other contracts for similar products and services adjusted for differing terms than the contract being evaluated, as well as internal pricing guidelines and market factors. In addition, we take into consideration the estimated costs to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation plus an appropriate profit margin.

Contracts with customers are evaluated at the time of execution and may vary in terms. The amount of revenue recognized in a period may vary with respect to the allocation of arrangement consideration to performance obligations with different revenue recognition patterns and changes to existing contract terms.

For certain contracts, revenue is recognized over time based on the efforts incurred to date relative to the total expected effort, primarily based on a cost-to-cost input measure. We apply judgment to determine a reasonable method to measure progress and to estimate total expected effort. Factors considered in these estimates include our historical performance, the availability, productivity and cost of labor, the nature and complexity of work to be performed, the effect of change orders, availability and cost of materials, and the effect of any delays in performance. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on revenue recognition, which could result in material changes to reported revenue.

Business Combinations

We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that once control is obtained, all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. The determination of fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities requires estimates and the use of valuation techniques when fair value is not readily available and requires a significant amount of management judgment.

Determining the fair value of developed technology acquired in business combinations requires significant judgment and estimates, including estimates of projected revenue growth rates, projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization growth rates, and the selection of discount rates. The resulting fair values and useful lives assigned to developed technology intangible assets impact the amount and timing of future amortization expense.

These estimates are inherently uncertain as they include forward-looking considerations and were based on expectations of future economic and market conditions. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the determination of fair values of identifiable intangible assets acquired, which could result in material changes to reported intangible assets, goodwill, and amortization expense.

MD&A history

Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.

FY 2024 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0000950170-25-027722.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2025-02-26. Report date: 2024-12-31.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This Annual Report contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this Annual Report other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “could,” or similar language are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change throughout the year, and any forward-looking statements based upon these projections or expectations may change prior to the end of the next quarter or year. Readers of this Annual Report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties are identified under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A herein and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof. Unless otherwise required by law, we do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise after the date of such statement.

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “IonQ,” “Legacy IonQ” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to IonQ Quantum, Inc. prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and IonQ, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries after the consummation of the Business Combination. References to “dMY” refer to the predecessor company prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

This section provides an analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. A discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 can be found under Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed on February 28, 2024, which is available free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and our investor relations website at investors.ionq.com.

Overview

We are developing quantum computers and networks designed to solve some of the world’s most complex problems, and transform business, society and the planet for the better. We believe that our proprietary technology, our architecture, and the technology exclusively available to us through license agreements will offer us advantages both in terms of research and development, as well as the commercial value of our intended product offerings.

Today, we sell specialized quantum computing and networking hardware together with related maintenance and support. We also sell access to several quantum computers of various qubit capacities and are in the process of researching and developing technologies for quantum computers with increasing computational capabilities. We currently make access to our quantum computers available via three major cloud platforms, Amazon Web Services’ (“AWS”) Amazon Braket, Microsoft’s Azure Quantum and Google’s Cloud Marketplace, and also to select customers via our own cloud service. This cloud-based approach enables the broad availability of quantum-computing-as-a-service (“QCaaS”).

We supplement our offerings with professional services focused on assisting our customers in applying quantum computing and networking to their businesses. We also expect to sell full quantum computing systems to customers, either over the cloud or for local access. We also offer quantum networking products which offer customers secure communication networks and enable networked quantum computing.

We are still in the early stages of commercial growth. Since our inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. Our ability to generate revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily on the successful development and further commercialization of our quantum computing systems. Our net losses were $331.6 million, $157.8 million and $48.5 million, for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $683.7 million. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future as we prioritize reaching the technical milestones necessary to achieve an increasingly higher number of algorithmic qubits and higher levels of fidelity than presently exists—prerequisites for quantum computing to reach broad quantum advantage.

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The Merger Agreement

On March 7, 2021, Legacy IonQ, dMY and Ion Trap Acquisition Inc. (the “Merger Sub”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the closing, the Merger Sub was merged with and into Legacy IonQ, with Legacy IonQ continuing as the surviving corporation following the merger, being a wholly owned subsidiary of dMY and the separate corporate existence of the Merger Sub ceased (the “Business Combination”). Contemporaneously with the Business Combination, dMY changed its name to IonQ, Inc. and Legacy IonQ changed its name to IonQ Quantum, Inc. IonQ became the successor registrant with the SEC, meaning that Legacy IonQ’s financial statements for previous periods have been disclosed in the registrant’s periodic reports filed with the SEC.

Impact of the Macroeconomic Climate on Our Business

Inflationary factors, interest rates and overhead costs may adversely affect our operating results. High interest and inflation rates also present a recent challenge impacting the U.S. economy and could make it more difficult for us to obtain traditional financing on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future. Although we do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations to date, we may experience increases in the future on our operating costs, including due to supply chain constraints, consequences associated with bank failures, geopolitical tensions in and around Ukraine, Israel and other areas of the world, and employee availability and wage increases, which may result in additional stress on our working capital resources.

Key Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

We derive revenue from contracts associated with the design, development, construction and sale of specialized quantum computing hardware together with related maintenance and support, from contracts providing access to QCaaS, and from consulting services related to co-developing algorithms on quantum computing systems.In arrangements with the cloud service providers, the cloud service provider is considered the customer and we do not have any contractual relationships with the cloud service providers’ end users.

Certain of our contracts contain multiple performance obligations, most commonly in contracts for the sale of specialized quantum computing hardware together with related maintenance and support. Such contracts may also include access to our QCaaS. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when or as the performance obligation is satisfied. When there are multiple performance obligations in a contract, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation based on its standalone selling price when available. We determine standalone selling price based on the observable price of a product or service when we sell the products or services separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. Certain products and services have limited or no history of being sold on a standalone basis, requiring us to estimate the standalone selling price. To date, we have estimated the standalone selling price based on other contracts for similar products and services adjusted for differing terms than the contract being evaluated, as well as internal pricing guidelines and market factors. In addition, we take into consideration the estimated costs to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation plus an appropriate profit margin. In limited situations, for certain contracts executed in prior years, when the standalone selling price was not known, due to it being either highly variable or uncertain, we allocated the transaction price using the residual approach. Estimates related to standalone selling price have not had a material impact on revenue recognized in recent periods.

We have determined that our QCaaS contracts represent a combined, stand-ready performance obligation to provide access to our quantum computing systems together with related maintenance and support. The transaction price generally consists of a fixed fee for a minimum volume of usage to be made available over a defined period of access. Fixed fee arrangements may also include a variable component whereby customers pay an amount for usage over contractual minimums contained in the contracts. For performance obligations related to providing QCaaS access, fixed fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the access period. Variable usage fees are recognized in the period they occur. We have determined that contracts that contain consulting services related to co-developing quantum computing algorithms and the ability to use our quantum computing systems to run such algorithms represent a combined performance obligation that is satisfied over-time.

Performance obligations are satisfied over time if the customer receives the benefits as we perform the work, if the customer controls the asset as it is being produced (continuous transfer of control), or if the product being produced for the customer has no alternative use and we have a contractual right to payment for performance to date. For performance obligations related to specialized quantum computing hardware and consulting services, revenue is recognized over time based on the efforts incurred to date relative to the total expected effort, primarily based on a cost-to-cost input measure. We apply judgment to determine a reasonable method to measure progress and to estimate total expected effort. Factors considered in these estimates include our historical performance, the availability, productivity and cost of labor, the nature and complexity of work to be performed, the effect of change orders, availability and cost of materials and the effect of any delays in performance.

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Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of revenue

Cost of revenue primarily consists of expenses related to construction of specialized quantum computing hardware and delivery of our services, including personnel-related expenses, hardware costs, allocated overhead costs for customer facing functions, and costs associated with maintaining our in-service quantum computing systems to ensure proper calibration as well as costs incurred for maintaining the cloud on which the QCaaS resides. Personnel-related expenses include salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation. Cost of revenue excludes depreciation and amortization related to our quantum computing systems and related software.

Research and development

Research and development expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, and allocated overhead costs for our research and development functions. Unlike a standard computer, design and development efforts continue throughout the useful life of our quantum computing systems to ensure proper calibration and optimal functionality. Research and development expenses also include purchased hardware and software costs related to quantum computing systems constructed for research purposes that are not probable of providing a future economic benefit and have no alternate future use as well as costs associated with third-party research and development arrangements.

Sales and marketing

Sales and marketing expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, commissions, benefits and stock-based compensation, costs for direct advertising, marketing and promotional expenditures and allocated overhead costs for our sales and marketing functions. We expect to continue to make the necessary sales and marketing investments to enable us to increase our market penetration and expand our customer base.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, and allocated overhead costs for our corporate, executive, finance, and other administrative functions. General and administrative expenses also include expenses for outside professional services, including legal, auditing and accounting services, recruitment expenses, information technology, travel expenses, certain non-income taxes, insurance, and other administrative expenses. We expect our general and administrative expenses to increase for the foreseeable future as we scale our support functions with the growth of our business.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense results from depreciation and amortization of our property and equipment, including our quantum computing systems, and intangible assets that are recognized over their estimated lives.

Nonoperating Costs and Expenses

Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities

The gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities consists of mark-to-market fair value adjustments recorded associated with the public warrants assumed as part of the Business Combination.

Interest income, net

Interest income, net consists of income earned on our money market funds and other available-for-sale investments.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net consists of gains and losses that arise from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and certain other nonoperating expenses.

Income tax benefit (expense)

Income tax expense consists of income taxes related to foreign jurisdictions in which we conduct business.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:

Year Ended December 31,
20242023
(in thousands)
Revenue$43,073$22,042
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)(1)20,5978,108
Research and development(1)136,82792,321
Sales and marketing(1)28,39518,270
General and administrative(1)71,05550,722
Depreciation and amortization18,65410,375
Total operating costs and expenses275,528179,796
Loss from operations(232,455)(157,754)
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities(117,107)(19,206)
Interest income, net18,24919,322
Other income (expense), net(275)(85)
Loss before income tax expense(331,588)(157,723)
Income tax benefit (expense)(59)(48)
Net loss$(331,647)$(157,771)

(1)
Cost of revenue, research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses for the periods include stock-based compensation expense as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
20242023
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue$4,740$2,819
Research and development58,69640,103
Sales and marketing13,7886,762
General and administrative29,65420,059

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

Revenue

Year Ended December 31,$%
20242023ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Revenue$43,073$22,042$21,03195%

Revenue increased by $21.0 million, or 95%, to $43.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $22.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 . The increase was primarily driven by progress on our arrangements to build specialized quantum computing hardware, as well as new revenue contracts under which we provided services during the year ended December 31, 2024.

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Cost of revenue

Year Ended December 31,$%
20242023ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)$20,597$8,108$12,489154%

Cost of revenue increased by $12.5 million, or 154%, to $20.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was driven primarily by an increase in hardware costs used in the construction of specialized quantum computing hardware, as well as an increase in labor costs to service contracts, for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Research and development

Year Ended December 31,$%
20242023ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Research and development$136,827$92,321$44,50648%

Research and development expense increased by $44.5 million, or 48%, to $136.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $92.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $33.7 million in payroll-related expenses, including an increase in stock-based compensation of $18.1 million, as a result of increased headcount and new equity grants, and a $5.0 million increase in materials, supplies and equipment costs. The remaining increase is due to an increase in costs to support research and development initiatives, including a $1.9 million increase in professional service fees and a $2.3 million increase in allocated overhead costs.

Sales and marketing

Year Ended December 31,$%
20242023ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Sales and marketing$28,395$18,270$10,12555%

Sales and marketing expense increased by $10.1 million, or 55%, to $28.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $18.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $10.0 million of payroll-related expenses, including an increase in stock-based compensation of $7.0 million, as a result of increased headcount and new equity grants.

General and administrative

Year Ended December 31,$%
20242023ChangeChange
(in thousands)
General and administrative$71,055$50,722$20,33340%

General and administrative expenses increased by $20.3 million, or 40%, to $71.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $50.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $21.4 million of payroll-related expenses, including a $10.0 million cash incentive award for the Company's chief executive officer and an increase in stock-based compensation of $9.6 million, offset by decreases of $0.6 million in professional service fees and allocated overhead costs and $0.5 million in director and officer liability insurance costs.

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Depreciation and amortization

Year Ended December 31,$%
20242023ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Depreciation and amortization$18,654$10,375$8,27980%

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $8.3 million, or 80%, to $18.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $3.1 million and $2.8 million in depreciation expense associated with capitalized quantum computing system costs and other property and equipment, respectively, and an increase of $2.4 million due to amortization of capitalized internal-use software.

Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities

Year Ended December 31,$%
20242023ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities$(117,107)$(19,206)$(97,901)(510)%

The change in fair value of warrant liabilities decreased by $97.9 million, or 510%, to a loss of $117.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from a loss of $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was due to mark-to-market adjustments based on changes in the trading price for our public warrants.

Interest income, net

Year Ended December 31,$%
20242023ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Interest income, net$18,249$19,322$(1,073)(6)%

Interest income, net decreased by $1.1 million, or 6%, to $18.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $19.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in the available-for-sale investments balance, offset by higher interest rates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities of $363.8 million. Excluded from our available liquidity is $2.4 million of restricted cash, which is primarily recorded in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We believe that our cash, cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2024, will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs for the next 12 months. We believe we will meet longer term expected future cash requirements and obligations through a combination of cash flows from operating activities and available funds from our cash, cash equivalents and investment balances. However, this determination is based upon internal projections and is subject to changes in market and business conditions. We have incurred significant losses since our inception and as of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $683.7 million. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we incurred net losses of $331.6 million. We expect to incur significant losses and higher operating expenses for the foreseeable future.

Future Funding Requirements

We expect our principal sources of liquidity will continue to be our cash, cash equivalents and investments and any additional capital we may obtain through additional equity or debt financings. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including investments in growth and technology. We may, in the future, enter into arrangements to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, services, and technologies, which may require us to seek additional equity or debt financing.

Our primary uses of cash and investments are to fund our operations as we continue to grow our business and our investing activities, including capital expenditures and potential acquisitions. We require a significant amount of cash for expenditures as we invest in ongoing research and development and commercialization of our products. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from commercializing our quantum computing and networking technology, if ever, we expect to finance our liquidity needs

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through our cash, cash equivalents and investments, as well as equity or debt financings or other capital sources, including potential collaborations and other similar arrangements. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements when needed on favorable terms or at all. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be or could be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our stockholders. Debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, or declaring dividends. If we raise funds through collaborations, or other similar arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our quantum computing and networking technology on terms that may not be favorable to us and/or may reduce the value of our common stock. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our quantum computing and networking development efforts. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors.”

Our material contractual commitments as of December 31, 2024, primarily relate to operating lease commitments. As of December 31, 2024, we have total operating lease obligations of $21.9 million, with $3.7 million payable within 12 months. Other than operating lease commitments, cash requirements for fiscal year 2025 are expected to consist primarily of operating expenses and continued investment in our quantum computers.

Cash flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the period indicated:

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$(105,683)$(78,811)$(44,698)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities82,73068,766(309,056)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities41,6871,7611,096

Cash flows from operating activities

Our cash flows from operating activities are significantly affected by the growth of our business, primarily related to research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative activities. Our operating cash flows are also affected by our working capital needs to support growth in personnel-related expenditures and fluctuations in accounts payable and other current assets and liabilities.

Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2024, was $105.7 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $331.6 million, adjusted for non-cash activity, primarily related to stock-based compensation, the loss recorded as a result of mark-to-market activity for our public warrants, depreciation and amortization, and other working capital activities. The increase in net cash used in operations from the prior year period was primarily related to increased research and development activities and increased compensation costs.

Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, was $78.8 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $157.8 million, adjusted for non-cash activity, primarily related to stock-based compensation, the loss recorded as a result of mark-to-market activity for our public warrants, depreciation and amortization, and other working capital activities.

Cash flows from investing activities

Net cash provided by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024, was $82.7 million, primarily resulting from cash received from maturities of available-for-sale securities of $418.1 million, offset by purchases of available-for-sale securities of $296.3 million, additions of $18.0 million to property and equipment primarily related to leasehold improvements, the development of our quantum computing systems, and other supporting equipment, cash paid of $15.5 million for businesses acquired, and additions of $3.9 million related to capitalized software development costs.

Net cash provided by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, was $68.8 million, primarily resulting from maturities of available-for-sale securities of $386.8 million, offset by purchases of available-for-sale securities of $298.4 million, additions of $13.7 million to property and equipment primarily related to the development of our quantum computing systems, and additions of $4.6 million related to capitalized software development costs.

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Cash flows from financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024, was $41.7 million, primarily resulting from proceeds from warrants and stock options exercised.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, was $1.8 million, primarily resulting from proceeds from stock options exercised.

Critical Accounting Estimates

This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We also make estimates and assumptions on revenue generated and reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Our critical accounting policies are described in greater detail in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Critical accounting estimates are defined as those reflective of significant judgments, estimates and uncertainties, which may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have listed below our critical accounting estimates that we believe to have the greatest potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. Historically, our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to our critical accounting estimates have not differed materially from actual results.

Revenue recognition

We derive revenue from contracts associated with the design, development, construction and sale of specialized quantum computing hardware together with related maintenance and support, from contracts providing access to QCaaS, and from consulting services related to co-developing algorithms on quantum computing systems.

For arrangements with multiple performance obligations, judgment is applied to determine the relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation as this is used to allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation within the contract. We determine standalone selling price based on the observable price of a product or service when we sell the products or services separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. Certain products and services have limited or no history of being sold on a standalone basis, requiring us to estimate the standalone selling price. To date, we have estimated the standalone selling price based on other contracts for similar products and services adjusted for differing terms than the contract being evaluated, as well as internal pricing guidelines and market factors. In addition, we take into consideration the estimated costs to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation plus an appropriate profit margin. In limited situations, for certain contracts executed in prior years, when the standalone selling price was not known, due to it being either highly variable or uncertain, we allocated the transaction price using the residual approach. Estimates related to standalone selling price in recent contracts did not have a material impact on revenue recognized.

Contracts with customers are evaluated at the time of execution and may vary in terms. The amount of revenue recognized in a period may vary with respect to the allocation of arrangement consideration to performance obligations with different revenue recognition patterns and changes to existing contract terms.

For certain contracts, revenue is recognized over time based on the efforts incurred to date relative to the total expected effort, primarily based on a cost-to-cost input measure. We apply judgment to determine a reasonable method to measure progress and to estimate total expected effort. Factors considered in these estimates include our historical performance, the availability, productivity and cost of labor, the nature and complexity of work to be performed, the effect of change orders, availability and cost of materials and the effect of any delays in performance. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on revenue recognition, which could result in material changes to reported revenue.

Quantum computing systems

Quantum computing systems are included within property and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets. Hardware and labor costs associated with the building of such quantum computing systems are capitalized in the period the costs are incurred. Costs to maintain quantum computing systems are expensed as incurred.

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Judgment is used to determine when hardware and labor costs incurred for our quantum computing systems should be capitalized as a result of our assessment of whether the system will provide a probable future economic benefit and whether or not the costs represent activities necessary to build the systems, maintain the systems or to perform certain research and development functions.

We also estimate the useful life of our quantum computing systems, both at the time the assets are placed in service and periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the useful life may have changed. In assessing useful lives, we consider, among other factors, the use of the asset, changes in technology, and the competitive environment. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the assessment of capitalized costs and depreciation expense, which could result in material changes to reported property and equipment, net.

FY 2023 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0000950170-24-022072.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2024-02-28. Report date: 2023-12-31.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This Annual Report contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this Annual Report other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” or similar language are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change throughout the year, and any forward-looking statements based upon these projections or expectations may change prior to the end of the next quarter or year. Readers of this Annual Report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties are identified under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A herein and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof. Unless otherwise required by law, we do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise after the date of such statement.

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “IonQ,” “Legacy IonQ” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to IonQ Quantum, Inc. prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and IonQ, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries after the consummation of the Business Combination. References to “dMY” refer to the predecessor company prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

Overview

We are developing quantum computers designed to solve some of the world’s most complex problems, and transform business, society and the planet for the better. We believe that our proprietary technology, our architecture, and the technology exclusively available to us through license agreements will offer us advantages both in terms of research and development, as well as the commercial value of our intended product offerings.

Today, we sell specialized quantum computing hardware together with related maintenance and support. We also sell access to several quantum computers of various qubit capacities and are in the process of researching and developing technologies for quantum computers with increasing computational capabilities. We currently make access to our quantum computers available via three major cloud platforms, Amazon Web Services’ (“AWS”) Amazon Braket, Microsoft’s Azure Quantum and Google’s Cloud Marketplace, and also to select customers via our own cloud service. This cloud-based approach enables the broad availability of quantum-computing-as-a-service (“QCaaS”).

We supplement our QCaaS offering with professional services focused on assisting our customers in applying quantum computing to their businesses. We also expect to sell full quantum computing systems to customers, either over the cloud or for local access.

We are still in the early stages of commercial growth. Since our inception we have incurred significant operating losses. Our ability to generate revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily on the successful development and further commercialization of our quantum computing systems. Our net losses were $157.8 million and $48.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $352.1 million. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future as we prioritize reaching the technical milestones necessary to achieve an increasingly higher number of stable qubits and higher levels of fidelity than presently exists—prerequisites for quantum computing to reach broad quantum advantage.

The Merger Agreement

On March 7, 2021, Legacy IonQ, dMY and Ion Trap Acquisition Inc. (the “Merger Sub”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the closing, the Merger Sub was merged with and into Legacy IonQ, with Legacy IonQ continuing as the surviving corporation following the merger, being a wholly owned subsidiary of dMY and the separate corporate existence of the Merger Sub ceased (the “Business Combination”). Contemporaneously with the Business Combination, dMY changed its name to IonQ, Inc. and Legacy IonQ changed its name to IonQ Quantum, Inc. IonQ became

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the successor registrant with the SEC, meaning that Legacy IonQ’s financial statements for previous periods have been disclosed in the registrant’s periodic reports filed with the SEC.

Impact of the Macroeconomic Climate on Our Business

The recent trends towards rising inflation may materially adversely affect our business and corresponding financial position and cash flows. Inflationary factors, interest rates and overhead costs may adversely affect our operating results. High interest and inflation rates also present a recent challenge impacting the U.S. economy and could make it more difficult for us to obtain traditional financing on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future. Although we do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations to date, we may experience increases in the near future (especially if inflation rates remain high or continue to rise) on our operating costs, including our labor, due to supply chain constraints, consequences associated with bank failures, geopolitical tensions in and around Ukraine, Israel and other areas of the world, and employee availability and wage increases, which may result in additional stress on our working capital resources.

Key Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

We have generated limited revenues since our inception. We derive revenue from contracts associated with the design, development, construction and sale of specialized quantum computing hardware together with related services, from contracts providing access to QCaaS, and from consulting services related to co-developing algorithms on our quantum computing systems. In arrangements with the cloud service providers, the cloud service provider is considered the customer and we do not have any contractual relationships with the cloud service providers’ end users.

Certain of our contracts contain multiple performance obligations, most commonly in contracts for the sale of specialized quantum computing hardware together with related maintenance and support. Such contracts may also include access to our QCaaS. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when or as the performance obligation is satisfied. When there are multiple performance obligations in a contract, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation based on its standalone selling price when available. We determine standalone selling price based on the observable price of a product or service when we sell the products or services separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. Certain products and services have limited or no history of being sold on a standalone basis, requiring us to estimate the standalone selling price. To date, we have estimated the standalone selling price based on other contracts for similar products and services adjusted for differing terms than the contract being evaluated, as well as internal pricing guidelines and market factors. In addition, we take into consideration the estimated costs to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation plus an appropriate profit margin. In limited situations, for certain contracts executed in prior years, when the standalone selling price was not known, due to it being either highly variable or uncertain, we allocated the transaction price using the residual approach.

We have determined that our QCaaS contracts represent a combined, stand-ready performance obligation to provide access to our quantum computing systems together with related maintenance and support. The transaction price generally consists of a fixed fee for a minimum volume of usage to be made available over a defined period of access. Fixed fee arrangements may also include a variable component whereby customers pay an amount for usage over contractual minimums contained in the contracts. We have determined that contracts that contain consulting services related to co-developing quantum computing algorithms and the ability to use our quantum computing systems to run such algorithms represent a combined performance obligation that is satisfied over-time.

Performance obligations are satisfied over time if the customer receives the benefits as we perform the work, if the customer controls the asset as it is being produced (continuous transfer of control), or if the product being produced for the customer has no alternative use and we have a contractual right to payment for performance to date. For performance obligations related to specialized quantum computing hardware and consulting services, revenue is recognized over time based on the efforts incurred to date relative to the total expected effort, primarily based on a cost-to-cost input measure. We apply judgment to determine a reasonable method to measure progress and to estimate total expected effort. Factors considered in these estimates include our historical performance, the availability, productivity and cost of labor, the nature and complexity of work to be performed, the effect of change orders, availability and cost of materials, and the effect of any delays in performance. For performance obligations related to providing QCaaS access, fixed fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the access period.

We are currently focused on marketing our QCaaS and consulting services and have entered into, and are continuing to enter into, new contracts with customers. We have also engaged with certain prospects who are interested in purchasing entire quantum computers, either over the cloud or for local access.

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Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of revenue

Cost of revenue primarily consists of expenses related to delivering our services, including personnel-related expenses, allocated facility and other costs for customer facing functions, and costs associated with maintaining our in-service quantum computing systems to ensure proper calibration as well as costs incurred for maintaining the cloud on which the QCaaS resides. Cost of revenue also includes hardware costs for construction of specialized quantum computing hardware. Personnel-related expenses include salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation. Cost of revenue excludes depreciation and amortization related to our quantum computing systems and related software.

Research and development

Research and development expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, and allocated facility and other costs for our research and development functions. Unlike a standard computer, design and development efforts continue throughout the useful life of our quantum computing systems to ensure proper calibration and optimal functionality. Research and development expenses also include purchased hardware and software costs related to quantum computing systems constructed for research purposes that are not probable of providing future economic benefit and have no alternate future use as well as costs associated with third-party research and development arrangements.

Sales and marketing

Sales and marketing expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, commissions, benefits and stock-based compensation, costs for direct advertising, marketing and promotional expenditures and allocated facility and other costs for our sales and marketing functions. We expect to continue to make the necessary sales and marketing investments to enable us to increase our market penetration and expand our customer base.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, and allocated facility and other costs for our corporate, executive, finance, and other administrative functions. General and administrative expenses also include expenses for outside professional services, including legal, auditing and accounting services, recruitment expenses, information technology, travel expenses, certain non-income taxes, insurance, and other administrative expenses.

We expect our general and administrative expenses to increase for the foreseeable future as we scale headcount with the growth of our business, and as a result of operating as a public company, including compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, NYSE, legal, audit, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities, and other administrative and professional services. As a result, we expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase in absolute dollars but may fluctuate as a percentage of total revenue over time.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense results from depreciation and amortization of our property and equipment, including our quantum computing systems, and intangible assets that are recognized over their estimated lives.

Nonoperating Costs and Expenses

Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities

The gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities consists of mark-to-market fair value adjustments recorded associated with the public warrants assumed as part of the Business Combination.

Interest income, net

Interest income, net consists of income earned on our money market funds and other available-for-sale investments.

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Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net consists of gains and losses that arise from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, realized losses on our available-for-sale investments, and certain other nonoperating expenses.

Income tax benefit (expense)

Income tax expense consists of income taxes related to foreign jurisdictions in which we conduct business.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:

Year Ended December 31,
20232022
(in thousands)
Revenue$22,042$11,131
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)(1)8,1082,944
Research and development(1)92,32143,978
Sales and marketing(1)18,2708,385
General and administrative(1)50,72235,966
Depreciation and amortization10,3755,604
Total operating costs and expenses179,79696,877
Loss from operations(157,754)(85,746)
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities(19,206)30,136
Interest income, net19,3227,093
Other income (expense), net(85)6
Loss before income tax expense(157,723)(48,511)
Income tax benefit (expense)(48)
Net loss$(157,771)$(48,511)

(1)
Cost of revenue, research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses for the periods include stock-based compensation expense as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
20232022
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue$2,819$902
Research and development40,10313,472
Sales and marketing6,7621,298
General and administrative20,05915,784

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

Revenue

Year Ended December 31,$%
20232022ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Revenue$22,042$11,131$10,91198%

Revenue increased by $10.9 million, or 98%, to $22.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $11.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by progress on our arrangements to build specialized quantum computing hardware, as well as new revenue contracts under which we provided services during the year ended December 31, 2023.

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Cost of revenue

Year Ended December 31,$%
20232022ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)$8,108$2,944$5,164175%

Cost of revenue increased by $5.2 million, or 175%, to $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was driven primarily by the increase in labor costs to service contracts, as well as the increase in materials costs for arrangements to build specialized quantum computing hardware, for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Research and development

Year Ended December 31,$%
20232022ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Research and development$92,321$43,978$48,343110%

Research and development expense increased by $48.3 million, or 110%, to $92.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $44.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by a $44.0 million increase in payroll-related expenses, including an increase in stock-based compensation of $27.1 million, as a result of increased headcount, and a $1.8 million increase in materials, supplies and equipment costs.

Sales and marketing

Year Ended December 31,$%
20232022ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Sales and marketing$18,270$8,385$9,885118%

Sales and marketing expense increased by $9.9 million, or 118%, to $18.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $8.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $8.7 million of payroll-related expenses, including an increase in stock-based compensation of $5.5 million, as a result of increased headcount, and increased costs to promote our services and other marketing initiatives of approximately $1.2 million.

General and administrative

Year Ended December 31,$%
20232022ChangeChange
(in thousands)
General and administrative$50,722$35,966$14,75641%

General and administrative expenses increased by $14.8 million, or 41%, to $50.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $36.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $10.3 million in payroll-related expenses, including an increase in stock-based compensation of $6.5 million, due to increased headcount, offset by a decrease of $2.2 million in one-time stock-based compensation costs incurred in the year ended December 31, 2022. The remaining increase is primarily due to an increase of $4.9 million in professional services fees as we scale our business as a public company.

Depreciation and amortization

Year Ended December 31,$%
20232022ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Depreciation and amortization$10,375$5,604$4,77185%

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Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $4.8 million, or 85%, to $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $2.3 million and $0.9 million in depreciation expense associated with capitalized quantum computing system costs and other property and equipment, respectively, and an increase of $1.4 million due to amortization of capitalized internally developed software.

Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities

Year Ended December 31,$%
20232022ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities$(19,206)$30,136$(49,342)(164)%

The gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrant liabilities decreased by $49.3 million, or 164%, to a loss of $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from a gain of $30.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was due to mark-to-market adjustments based on changes in the trading price for our public warrants.

Interest income, net

Year Ended December 31,$%
20232022ChangeChange
(in thousands)
Interest income, net$19,322$7,093$12,229172%

Interest income, net increased by $12.2 million, or 172%, to $19.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by interest income earned on our cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments due to higher interest rates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities of $455.9 million. Excluded from our available liquidity is $2.4 million of restricted cash, which is primarily recorded in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We believe that our cash, cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2023, will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs for the next 12 months. We believe we will meet longer term expected future cash requirements and obligations through a combination of cash flows from operating activities and available funds from our cash, cash equivalents and investment balances. However, this determination is based upon internal projections and is subject to changes in market and business conditions. We have incurred significant losses since our inception and as of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $352.1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we incurred net losses of $157.8 million. We expect to incur significant losses and higher operating expenses for the foreseeable future.

Future Funding Requirements

We expect our principal sources of liquidity will continue to be our cash, cash equivalents and investments and any additional capital we may obtain through additional equity or debt financings. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including investments in growth and technology. We may, in the future, enter into arrangements to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, services, and technologies, which may require us to seek additional equity or debt financing.

Our primary uses of cash and investments are to fund our operations as we continue to grow our business. We require a significant amount of cash for expenditures as we invest in ongoing research and development and commercialization of our products. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from commercializing our quantum computing technology, if ever, we expect to finance our liquidity needs through our cash, cash equivalents and investments, as well as equity or debt financings or other capital sources, including potential collaborations and other similar arrangements. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements when needed on favorable terms or at all. High interest and inflation rates present a recent challenge impacting the U.S. economy and could make it more difficult for us to obtain traditional financing on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be or could be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our stockholders. Debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that

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include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, or declaring dividends. If we raise funds through collaborations, or other similar arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our quantum computing technology on terms that may not be favorable to us and/or may reduce the value of our common stock. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our quantum computing development efforts. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors.”

Other than operating expenses and our continued investment in our quantum computers, cash requirements for fiscal year 2024 are expected to consist primarily of capital expenditures for facilities.

Our material cash requirements as of December 31, 2023, include operating lease commitments, including the lease of our headquarters in College Park, Maryland and our manufacturing, research and development and general office space in Bothell, Washington. As of December 31, 2023, we have total operating lease obligations of $19.8 million, with $1.9 million payable within 12 months.

Cash flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the period indicated:

Year Ended December 31,
20232022
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$(78,811)$(44,698)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities68,766(309,056)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities1,7611,096

Cash flows from operating activities

Our cash flows from operating activities are significantly affected by the growth of our business, primarily related to research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative activities. Our operating cash flows are also affected by our working capital needs to support growth in personnel-related expenditures and fluctuations in accounts payable and other current assets and liabilities.

Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, was $78.8 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $157.8 million, adjusted for non-cash activity, primarily related to stock-based compensation, the loss recorded as a result of mark-to-market activity for our public warrants, depreciation and amortization, and other working capital activities. The increase in net cash used in operations from the prior year period was primarily related to increased research and development activities, increased compensation costs as a result of hiring personnel and increased costs incurred as a public company.

Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2022, was $44.7 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $48.5 million, adjusted for non-cash activity, primarily related to the gain recorded as a result of mark-to-market activity for our public warrants offset by stock-based compensation and other working capital activities.

Cash flows from investing activities

Net cash provided by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, was $68.8 million, primarily resulting from maturities of available-for-sale securities of $386.8 million, offset by purchases of available-for-sale investments of $298.4 million, additions of $13.7 million to property and equipment primarily related to the development of our quantum computing systems, and additions of $4.6 million related to capitalized software development costs.

Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022, was $309.1 million, primarily resulting from purchases of available-for-sale securities of $605.7 million and additions of $9.3 million to property and equipment primarily related to the development of our quantum computing systems, offset by cash received from maturities of available-for-sale investments of $310.0 million.

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Cash flows from financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, was $1.8 million, primarily resulting from proceeds from stock options exercised.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022, was $1.1 million, primarily resulting from proceeds from stock options exercised.

Critical Accounting Estimates

This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We also make estimates and assumptions on revenue generated and reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Our critical accounting policies are described in greater detail in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Critical accounting estimates are defined as those reflective of significant judgments, estimates and uncertainties, which may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have listed below our critical accounting estimates that we believe to have the greatest potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. Historically, our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to our critical accounting estimates have not differed materially from actual results.

Revenue recognition

We derive revenue from contracts associated with the design, development, and construction of specialized quantum computing hardware together with related services, from contracts providing access to QCaaS, and from consulting services related to co-developing algorithms on the quantum computing systems.

For arrangements with multiple performance obligations, judgment is applied to determine the relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation as this is used to allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation within the contract. We determine standalone selling price based on the observable price of a product or service when we sell the products or services separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. Certain products and services have limited or no history of being sold on a standalone basis, requiring us to estimate the standalone selling price. To date, we have estimated the standalone selling price based on other contracts for similar products and services adjusted for differing terms than the contract being evaluated, as well as internal pricing guidelines and market factors. In addition, we take into consideration the estimated costs to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation plus an appropriate profit margin. In limited situations, for certain contracts executed in prior years, when the standalone selling price was not known, due to it being either highly variable or uncertain, we allocated the transaction price using the residual approach.

Contracts with customers are evaluated at the time of execution and may vary in terms. The amount of revenue recognized in a period may vary with respect to the allocation of arrangement consideration to performance obligations with different revenue recognition patterns and changes to existing contract terms.

For certain contracts, revenue is recognized over time based on the efforts incurred to date relative to the total expected effort, primarily based on a cost-to-cost input measure. We apply judgment to determine a reasonable method to measure progress and to estimate total expected effort. Factors considered in these estimates include our historical performance, the availability, productivity and cost of labor, the nature and complexity of work to be performed, the effect of change orders, availability and cost of materials and the effect of any delays in performance. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on revenue recognition, which could result in material changes to reported revenue.

Quantum computing systems

Quantum computing systems are included within property and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets. Hardware and labor costs associated with the building of such quantum computing systems are capitalized in the period the costs are incurred. Costs to maintain quantum computing systems are expensed as incurred.

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Judgment is used to determine when hardware and labor costs incurred for our quantum computing systems should be capitalized as a result of our assessment of whether the system will provide a probable future economic benefit and whether or not the costs represent activities necessary to build the systems, maintain the systems or to perform certain research and development functions.

We also estimate the useful life of our quantum computing systems, both at the time the assets are placed in service and periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the useful life may have changed. In assessing useful lives, the Company considers, among other factors, the use of the asset, changes in technology, and the competitive environment. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the assessment of capitalized costs and depreciation expense, which could result in material changes to reported property and equipment, net.

Emerging Growth Company Status and Smaller Reporting Company Status

Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act, until such time as those standards apply to private companies.

As a result of the market value of the Company's common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2023, exceeding $700.0 million, we became a large accelerated filer under the Exchange Act as of December 31, 2023, and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company. Therefore, we are required to comply with new or revised accounting standards as of the effective dates applicable to public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

We were also a smaller reporting company as defined in the Exchange Act until June 30, 2023. However, we may continue to use the scaled disclosures permitted for a smaller reporting company through this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and must begin providing non-scaled larger company disclosure in our first quarterly report in our next fiscal year (i.e., the quarterly report for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024).

FY 2022 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001193125-23-085558.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2023-03-30. Report date: 2022-12-31.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This Annual Report contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this Annual Report other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” or similar language are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change throughout the year, and any forward-looking statements based upon these projections or expectations may change prior to the end of the next quarter or year. Readers of this Annual Report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties are identified under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A herein and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof. Unless otherwise required by law, we do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise after the date of such statement.

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “IonQ,” “Legacy IonQ” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to IonQ Quantum, Inc. prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and IonQ, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, IonQ Quantum, Inc., after the consummation of the Business Combination. References to “dMY” refer to the predecessor company prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

Overview

We are developing quantum computers designed to solve some of the world’s most complex problems, and transform business, society and the planet for the better. We believe that our proprietary technology, our architecture, and the technology exclusively available to us through license agreements will offer us advantages both in terms of research and development, as well as the commercial value of our intended product offerings.

Today, we sell access to several quantum computers of various qubit capacities and are in the process of researching and developing technologies for quantum computers with increasing computational capabilities. We currently make access to our quantum computers available via three major cloud platforms, AWS’s Amazon Braket, Microsoft’s Azure Quantum and Google’s Cloud Marketplace, and also to select customers via our own cloud service. This cloud-based approach enables the broad availability of QCaaS.

We supplement our QCaaS offering with professional services focused on assisting our customers in applying quantum computing to their businesses. We also expect to sell full quantum computing systems to customers, either over the cloud or for local access.

We are still in the early stages of commercial growth. Since our inception we have incurred significant operating losses. Our ability to generate revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily on the successful development and further commercialization of our quantum computing systems. Our net losses were $48.5 million and $106.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $194.3 million. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future as we prioritize reaching the technical milestones necessary to achieve an increasingly higher number of stable qubits and higher levels of fidelity than presently exists—prerequisites for quantum computing to reach broad quantum advantage.

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The Merger Agreement and Public Company Costs

On March 7, 2021, Legacy IonQ, dMY and Ion Trap Acquisition Inc. (the “Merger Sub”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the closing, the Merger Sub was merged with and into Legacy IonQ, with Legacy IonQ continuing as the surviving corporation following the merger, being a wholly owned subsidiary of dMY and the separate corporate existence of the Merger Sub ceased (the “Business Combination”). Commensurate with the Business Combination, dMY changed its name to IonQ, Inc. and Legacy IonQ changed its name to IonQ Quantum, Inc. IonQ became the successor registrant with the SEC, meaning that Legacy IonQ’s financial statements for previous periods will be disclosed in the registrant’s future periodic reports filed with the SEC.

While the legal acquirer in the Merger Agreement is dMY, for financial accounting and reporting purposes under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), Legacy IonQ is the accounting acquirer and the merger is accounted for as a “reverse recapitalization” (i.e., a capital transaction involving the issuance of stock by dMY for the stock of Legacy IonQ). A reverse recapitalization does not result in a new basis of accounting, and the financial statements of the Company represent the continuation of the financial statements of Legacy IonQ in many respects. Under this method of accounting, dMY is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes.

As a result of the Business Combination, Legacy IonQ is the successor to an SEC registrant and is listed on the NYSE, which will require IonQ to continue to hire additional personnel as it continues to implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices. As a public company, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur, expenses for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees and additional internal and external accounting, legal and administrative resources, including increased audit and legal fees.

Impact of the Macroeconomic Climate on Our Business

The recent trends towards rising inflation may also materially adversely affect our business and corresponding financial position and cash flows. Inflationary factors, interest rates and overhead costs may adversely affect our operating results. Rising interest and inflation rates also present a recent challenge impacting the U.S. economy and could make it more difficult for us to obtain traditional financing on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future. Although we do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations to date, we may experience increases in the near future (especially if inflation rates continue to rise) on our operating costs, including our labor, due to supply chain constraints, consequences associated with COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, and employee availability and wage increases, which may result in additional stress on our working capital resources.

Key Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

We have generated limited revenues since our inception. We derive revenue from providing access to quantum-computing-as-a-service (“QCaaS”), consulting services related to co-developing algorithms on our quantum computing systems, and from contracts associated with the design, development, and construction of specialized quantum computing systems together with related services. In arrangements with the cloud service providers, the cloud service provider is considered the customer and we do not have any contractual relationships with the cloud service providers’ end users.

We have determined that our QCaaS contracts represent a combined, stand-ready performance obligation to provide access to our quantum computing systems together with related maintenance and support. The transaction price generally includes a variable fee based on usage of our quantum computing systems and may include a fixed fee for a minimum volume of usage to be made available over a defined period of access. Fixed fee arrangements may also include a variable component whereby customers pay an amount for usage over contractual minimums contained in the contracts. We have determined that contracts that contain consulting

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services related to co-developing quantum computing algorithms and the ability to use our quantum computing systems to run such algorithms represent a combined performance obligation that is satisfied over-time with revenue recognized based on the efforts incurred to date relative to the total expected effort.

Certain of our contracts contain multiple performance obligations, most commonly in contracts for specialized quantum computing systems together with related maintenance and support. Such contracts may also include access to our QCaaS. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when or as the performance obligation is satisfied. When there are multiple performance obligations in a contract, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation based on its standalone selling price when available. We determine standalone selling price based on the observable price of a product or service when we sell the products or services separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. When the standalone selling price is not known, due to it being either highly variable or uncertain, we allocate the transaction price using the residual approach.

For contracts with a fixed transaction price, the fixed fee is recognized on a straight-line basis over the access period or associated measure of progress for our consulting services contracts. For contracts without fixed fees, variable usage fees are billed and recognized during the period of such usage. Performance obligations are satisfied over-time if the customer receives the benefits as we perform the work, if the customer controls the asset as it is being produced (continuous transfer of control), or if the product being produced for the customer has no alternative use and we have a contractual right to payment for performance to date. Revenue is recognized on performance obligations satisfied over time based on the efforts incurred to date relative to the total expected effort.

We are currently focused on marketing our QCaaS and consulting services and have entered into, and are continuing to enter into, new contracts with customers. We have also engaged with certain prospects who are interested in purchasing entire quantum computers, either over the cloud or for local access.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of revenue

Cost of revenue primarily consists of expenses related to delivering our services, including personnel-related expenses, allocated facility and other costs for customer facing functions, and costs associated with maintaining our in-service quantum computing systems to ensure proper calibration as well as costs incurred for maintaining the cloud on which the QCaaS resides. Personnel-related expenses include salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation. Cost of revenue excludes depreciation and amortization related to our quantum computing systems and related software.

Research and development

Research and development expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, and allocated facility and other costs for our research and development functions. Unlike a standard computer, design and development efforts continue throughout the useful life of our quantum computing systems to ensure proper calibration and optimal functionality. Research and development expenses also include purchased hardware and software costs related to quantum computing systems constructed for research purposes that are not probable of providing future economic benefit and have no alternate future use as well as costs associated with third-party research and development arrangements.

Sales and marketing

Sales and marketing expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, costs for direct advertising, marketing and promotional expenditures and allocated facility and other costs for our sales and marketing functions. We expect to continue to make the necessary sales and marketing investments to enable us to increase our market penetration and expand our customer base.

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General and administrative

General and administrative expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, and allocated facility and other costs for our corporate, executive, finance, and other administrative functions. General and administrative expenses also include expenses for outside professional services, including legal, auditing and accounting services, recruitment expenses, information technology, travel expenses and certain non-income taxes, insurance, and other administrative expenses.

We expect our general and administrative expenses to increase for the foreseeable future as we scale headcount with the growth of our business, and as a result of operating as a public company, including compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, NYSE, legal, audit, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities, and other administrative and professional services. As a result, we expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase in absolute dollars but may fluctuate as a percentage of total revenue over time.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense results from depreciation and amortization of our property and equipment, including our quantum computing systems, and intangible assets that is recognized over their estimated lives.

Nonoperating Costs and Expenses

Change in fair value of warrant liabilities

The change in fair value of warrant liabilities consists of mark-to-market fair value adjustments recorded associated with the public and private placement warrants assumed as part of the Business Combination.

Interest income, net

Interest income, net consists of income earned on our money market funds and other available-for-sale investments.

Offering costs associated with warrants

Offering costs associated with warrants consist of transaction costs that have been allocated to the public and private warrants and were expensed upon consummation of the Business Combination on September 30, 2021, based on the relative fair value of the equity issued and the liability-classified warrants.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net consists of realized losses on our available-for-sale investments and certain other expenses.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our statements of operations for the periods indicated:

Year Ended December 31,
20222021
(in thousands)
Revenue$11,131$2,099
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)(1)2,9441,040
Research and development(1)43,97820,228
Sales and marketing(1)8,3853,233
General and administrative(1)35,96613,737
Depreciation and amortization5,6042,548
Total operating costs and expenses96,87740,786
Loss from operations(85,746)(38,687)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities30,136(63,332)
Interest income, net7,09364
Offering costs associated with warrants(4,259)
Other income (expense), net628
Loss before benefit for income taxes(48,511)(106,186)
Benefit for income taxes
Net loss$(48,511)$(106,186)
Column 1Column 2
(1)Cost of revenue, research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses for the periods include stock-based compensation expense as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
20222021
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue$902$62
Research and development13,4722,841
Sales and marketing1,29867
General and administrative15,7844,778

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

Revenue

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20222021
(in thousands)
Revenue$11,131$2,099$9,032430%

Revenue increased by $9.0 million, or 430%, to $11.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily driven by new revenue contracts under which we provided services during the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase in revenue from our cloud service providers and an increase in revenue from services provided under our contract with UMD, as well as other existing contracts.

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Cost of revenue

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20222021
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)$2,944$1,040$1,904183%

Cost of revenue increased by $1.9 million, or 183%, to $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was driven primarily by the increase in costs to service contracts for the year ended December 31, 2022, including an increase in labor costs to service consulting arrangements.

Research and development

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20222021
(in thousands)
Research and development$43,978$20,228$23,750117%

Research and development expense increased by $23.8 million, or 117%, to $44.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $20.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily driven by an $18.1 million increase in payroll-related expenses, including stock-based compensation of $10.6 million, as a result of increased headcount, a $2.6 million increase in materials, supplies and equipment costs, and a $2.3 million increase in professional service costs to support research and development initiatives.

Sales and marketing

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20222021
(in thousands)
Sales and marketing$8,385$3,233$5,152159%

Sales and marketing expense increased by $5.2 million, or 159%, to $8.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $3.7 million of payroll-related expenses, including an increase in stock-based compensation of $1.2 million, as a result of increased headcount, and increased costs to promote our services and other marketing initiatives of approximately $1.5 million.

General and administrative

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20222021
(in thousands)
General and administrative$35,966$13,737$22,229162%

General and administrative expenses increased by $22.2 million, or 162%, to $36.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $13.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $14.9 million in payroll-related expenses, including an increase in stock-based compensation of $11.0 million, due to increased headcount, and an increase of $3.4 million in director and

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officer liability insurance costs. The remaining increase is primarily due to additional transition costs incurred to operate as a public company and other general and administrative activities as a result of hiring additional personnel.

Depreciation and amortization

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20222021
(in thousands)
Depreciation and amortization$5,604$2,548$3,056120%

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $3.1 million, or 120%, to $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $0.7 million due to amortization of capitalized internally developed software and an increase of $1.3 million in depreciation expense associated with capitalized quantum computing system costs, as well as an increase of $1.0 million in depreciation expenses associated with other property and equipment.

Change in fair value of warrant liabilities

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20222021
(in thousands)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities$30,136$(63,332)$93,468148%

The change in fair value of warrant liabilities increased by $93.5 million, or 148%, to a gain of $30.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from a loss of $63.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to mark-to-market income adjustments recorded for the public and private warrants assumed as part of the Business Combination.

Interest income, net

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20222021
(in thousands)
Interest income, net$7,093$64$7,029NM

NM-Not meaningful

Interest income, net increased by $7.0 million to $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily driven by interest income earned on our cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments from the investment of the proceeds from the Business Combination.

Offering costs associated with warrants

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20222021
(in thousands)
Offering costs associated with warrants$$(4,259)$4,259100%

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Offering costs associated with warrants decreased by $4.3 million, or 100%, to zero for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. In connection with the Business Combination, $4.3 million of transaction costs were allocated and expensed related to the liability-classified public and private warrants.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2022, we had cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities of $537.8 million. Excluded from our available liquidity is $2.0 million of restricted cash, which is recorded in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We believe that our cash, cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2022, will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs for the next 12 months. We believe we will meet longer term expected future cash requirements and obligations through a combination of cash flows from operating activities and available funds from our cash, cash equivalents and investment balances. However, this determination is based upon internal projections and is subject to changes in market and business conditions. We have incurred significant losses since our inception and as of December 31, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $194.3 million. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we incurred net losses of $48.5 million. We expect to incur significant losses and higher operating expenses for the foreseeable future.

Future Funding Requirements

We expect our principal sources of liquidity will continue to be our cash, cash equivalents and investments and any additional capital we may obtain through additional equity or debt financings. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including investments in growth and technology. We may, in the future, enter into arrangements to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, services, and technologies, which may require us to seek additional equity or debt financing.

Upon the closing of the Business Combination, we received approximately $636.0 million of gross proceeds. The proceeds are invested in money market funds, commercial paper, corporate and municipal notes and bonds, and other U.S. government and agency securities as disclosed in Note 4 in our consolidated financial statements. We expect to use these investments to fund our strategic operations.

Our primary uses of cash and investments are to fund our operations as we continue to grow our business. We require a significant amount of cash for expenditures as we invest in ongoing research and development and commercialization of our products. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from commercializing our quantum computing technology, if ever, we expect to finance our liquidity needs through our cash, cash equivalents and investments, as well as equity or debt financings or other capital sources, including potential collaborations and other similar arrangements. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements when needed on favorable terms or at all. Rising interest and inflation rates present a recent challenge impacting the U.S. economy and could make it more difficult for us to obtain traditional financing on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be or could be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our stockholders. Debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, or declaring dividends. If we raise funds through collaborations, or other similar arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our quantum computing technology on terms that may not be favorable to us and/or may reduce the value of our common stock. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our quantum computing development efforts. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors.”

Other than operating expenses and our continued investment in our quantum computers, cash requirements for fiscal year 2023 are expected to consist primarily of capital expenditures for corporate facilities.

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Our material cash requirements as of December 31, 2022, include operating lease commitments, including the lease of our headquarters in College Park, Maryland and manufacturing and office space in Bothell, Washington. As of December 31, 2022, we have total operating lease obligations of $16.1 million, with $0.7 million payable within 12 months.

Cash flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the period indicated:

Year Ended December 31,
20222021
(in thousands)
Net cash used in operating activities$(44,698)$(26,537)
Net cash used in investing activities(309,056)(213,785)
Net cash provided by financing activities1,096603,227

Cash flows from operating activities

Our cash flows from operating activities are significantly affected by the growth of our business, primarily related to research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative activities. Our operating cash flows are also affected by our working capital needs to support growth in personnel-related expenditures and fluctuations in accounts payable and other current assets and liabilities.

Net cash used in operating activities during year ended December 31, 2022, was $44.7 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $48.5 million, adjusted for non-cash activity, primarily related to the gain recorded as a result of mark-to-market activity for our public warrants offset by stock-based compensation and other working capital activities. The increase in net cash used in operations from the prior year period was primarily related to increased research and development activities, increased compensation costs as a result of hiring personnel and increased costs incurred as a public company.

Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2021, was $26.5 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $106.2 million, adjusted for non-cash activity, primarily related to the loss recorded as a result of mark-to-market activity for our public and private warrants, stock-based compensation and offering costs associated with warrants, as well as other working capital activities.

Cash flows from investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022, was $309.1 million, primarily resulting from purchases of available-for-sale securities of $605.7 million, additions of $9.3 million to property and equipment primarily related to the development of our quantum computing systems, offset by cash received from sales and maturities of available-for-sale investments of $310.0 million.

Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021, was $213.8 million, primarily resulting from purchases of available-for-sale securities of $203.8 million, additions of $7.8 million to property and equipment primarily related to the development of our quantum computing systems, $1.6 million of capitalized internal software development costs, and $0.6 million of intangible asset acquisition costs.

Cash flows from financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022, was $1.1 million, primarily resulting from proceeds from stock options exercised.

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Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021, was $603.2 million primarily reflecting proceeds received from the Business Combination, including the PIPE investment, as well as cash received from the exercise of warrants and exercise of stock options.

Critical Accounting Estimates

This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We also make estimates and assumptions on revenue generated and reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Our critical accounting policies are described in greater detail in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Critical accounting estimates are defined as those reflective of significant judgments, estimates and uncertainties, which may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have listed below our critical accounting estimates that we believe to have the greatest potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. Historically, our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to our critical accounting estimates have not differed materially from actual results.

Revenue recognition

We derive revenue from our QCaaS arrangements, consulting services related to co-developing algorithms on our quantum computing systems, and from contracts associated with the design, development, and construction of specialized quantum computing systems together with related services.

We have applied judgment in determining that our QCaaS contracts represent a combined, stand-ready performance obligation to provide access to our quantum computing systems together with related maintenance and support. For arrangements with multiple performance obligations, judgment is used to determine whether multiple services in the contract should be accounted for separately or as a group. Judgment is also applied when determining the relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation, including determining when to apply the residual method, as this is used to allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation within the contract. We determine standalone selling price based on the observable price of a product or service when we sell the products or services separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. When the standalone selling price is not known, due to it being either highly variable or uncertain, we allocate the transaction price using the residual approach. In addition, we apply judgment in evaluating any consideration payable to the customer and whether it is in exchange for distinct goods or services or should be reflected as a reduction of revenue.

For arrangements where we enter into multiple contracts with a single counterparty at or near the same time, we use judgment in determining whether the contracts should be combined and whether we should account for them as a single contract. We account for them as a single contract when one or more of the following criteria are met: (i) the contracts are negotiated as a package with a single commercial objective; (ii) consideration to be paid in one contract depends on the price or performance of the other contract; and (iii) goods or services promised are a single performance obligation.

Contracts with customers are evaluated at the time of execution and may vary in terms. The amount of revenue recognized in a period may vary with respect to the allocation of arrangement consideration to performance obligations with different revenue recognition patterns and changes to existing contract terms.

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Quantum computing systems

Quantum computing systems are included within property and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheet. Prior to 2019, we built certain quantum computing systems solely for research and development purposes and these quantum computing systems were deemed to have no alternative future use. In 2019, we began to commercialize our quantum computing systems via the offering of QCaaS and quantum computing systems built thereafter were determined to provide a probable future economic benefit. As a result, hardware and labor costs associated with the building of such quantum computing systems were capitalized in the period the costs were incurred. Costs to maintain quantum computing systems are expensed as incurred.

Judgment is used to determine when hardware and labor costs incurred for our quantum computing systems should be capitalized as a result of our assessment of whether the system will provide a probable future economic benefit and whether or not the costs represent activities necessary to build the systems, maintain the systems or to perform certain research and development functions. Judgment is also used to determine when the systems are placed into service and the estimated useful life of the associated systems.

Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the assessment of capitalized costs, which could result in material changes to reported property and equipment, net. The amount of depreciation expense associated with the quantum computing systems may also vary based on the estimated useful life.

Capitalized internally developed software

Capitalized internally developed software, which is included in intangible assets, net, on the consolidated balance sheet, consists of costs to purchase and develop internal-use software, which we use to provide services to our customers.

Judgment is used to determine when costs to develop internal-use software for a specific project should be capitalized and whether or not the costs represent activities necessary to enhance the functionality of the software or maintain the performance of the software, and whether it is considered probable that the software will be used to perform the function intended. Judgment is also used to determine when the software is available for use as well as the estimated useful life of the software.

The assumptions used to capitalize internally developed software costs consider when the preliminary project stage is completed, whether the software will perform the function intended, and whether the development activities enhance the functionality of the software or maintain the performance of the software. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the assessment of capitalized costs, which could result in material changes to reported intangible assets, net. The amortization of capitalized internally developed software may also be impacted by the estimated useful life associated with these intangible assets.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, such as our quantum computing systems and capitalized internally developed software, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

As of December 31, 2022, we did not have an impairment of any long-lived assets. In determining whether a potential impairment exists, judgment is used in determining the level at which the assessment is made. We have determined that the company consists of one entity-wide asset group for purposes of assessing whether a triggering event has occurred that would indicate the long-lived asset group’s carrying value is not recoverable. Impairment calculations, if necessary, contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values. Key assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values include projected revenue growth and operating expenses, as well as forecasting asset useful lives and selecting an appropriate discount rate with respect to any terminal value cash flows.

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Triggering events occur when there are indicators that the carrying value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. These indicators may include internal and external economic factors, including significant decrease in market price of our capital stock, adverse market conditions, and an adverse change in the manner of which the asset is used. The assumptions used to assess impairment consider historical trends, macroeconomic conditions, and projections consistent with our operating strategy including the pace of technological change or specific technological challenges in building our quantum computing systems. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the assessment of fair value, which could result in material impairment losses.

Emerging Growth Company Status and Smaller Reporting Company Status

Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can choose not to take advantage of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, and any such election to not take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable. During the extended transition period, it may be difficult or impossible to compare our financial results with the financial results of another public company that complies with public company effective dates for accounting standard updates because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

We will remain an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act until the earliest of (a) December 31, 2025, (b) the last date of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, (c) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the rules of the SEC, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the prior June 30th or (d) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the previous three-year period.

We are also a smaller reporting company as defined in the Exchange Act. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled disclosures for so long as (i) our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter or (ii) our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.

FY 2021 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001193125-22-086738.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2022-03-28. Report date: 2021-12-31.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This Annual Report contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this Annual Report other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” or similar language are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change throughout the year, and any forward-looking statements based upon these projections or expectations may change prior to the end of the next quarter or year. Readers of this Annual Report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties are identified under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A herein and in our other filings with the Securities and exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof. Unless otherwise required by law, we do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise after the date of such statement.

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “IonQ,” “Legacy IonQ” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to IonQ Quantum, Inc. prior to the consummation of the business combination and IonQ, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, IonQ Quantum, Inc., after the consummation of the business combination. References to “dMY” refer to the predecessor company prior to the consummation of the business combination.

Overview

We are developing quantum computers designed to solve the world’s most complex problems, and transform business, society, and the planet for the better. We believe that our proprietary technology, our architecture, and the technology exclusively available to us through license agreements will offer us advantages both in terms of research and development, as well as the commercial value of our intended product offerings. We sell access to a quantum computer with 20 qubits, and we are in the process of researching and developing technologies for quantum computers with increasing computational capabilities. We currently make access to our quantum computers available via three major cloud platforms, Amazon Web Services’ (“AWS”) Amazon Braket, Microsoft’s Azure Quantum, and Google’s Cloud Marketplace, and to select customers via our own cloud service.

We are still in the early stages of generating revenue with our
20-qubit
quantum computer. We have incurred significant operating losses since our inception. Our net losses were $106.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, we had an accumulated deficit of $145.8 million. We expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future as we prioritize reaching the technical milestones necessary to achieve increasingly higher number of stable qubits and higher levels of fidelity than that which presently exists—prerequisites for quantum computing to reach broad quantum advantage.

The Merger Agreement and Public Company Costs

On March 7, 2021, Legacy IonQ, dMY and Ion Trap Acquisition Inc. (the “Merger Sub”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the closing, the

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Merger Sub was merged with and into Legacy IonQ, with Legacy IonQ continuing as the surviving corporation following the merger, being a wholly owned subsidiary of dMY and the separate corporate existence of the Merger Sub ceased. Commensurate with the business combination, dMY changed its name to IonQ, Inc. and Legacy IonQ changed its name to IonQ Quantum, Inc. IonQ became the successor registrant with the SEC, meaning that Legacy IonQ’s financial statements for previous periods will be disclosed in the registrant’s future periodic reports filed with the SEC.

While the legal acquirer in the Merger Agreement is dMY, for financial accounting and reporting purposes under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), Legacy IonQ is the accounting acquirer and the merger is accounted for as a “reverse recapitalization” (i.e., a capital transaction involving the issuance of stock by dMY for the stock of Legacy IonQ). A reverse recapitalization does not result in a new basis of accounting, and the financial statements of the Company represent the continuation of the financial statements of Legacy IonQ in many respects. Under this method of accounting, dMY is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes.

Upon the closing of the merger and the concurrent private placement of 34,500,000 shares of common stock (the “PIPE”), the most significant change in our financial position and results of operations was an increase in cash (as compared to our balance sheet as of December 31, 2020) of approximately $363 million, which included $345 million in gross proceeds from the PIPE. Total direct and incremental transaction costs of dMY and Legacy IonQ were approximately $52 million, substantially all of which were offset to

additional-paid-in-capital

as costs related to the reverse recapitalization.

As a result of the merger, Legacy IonQ is the successor to an SEC registrant and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), which will require IonQ to hire additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices. As a public company, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur, expenses for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees and additional internal and external accounting, legal and administrative resources, including increased audit and legal fees.

Impact of
COVID-19
on Our Business

In March 2020, the
COVID-19
outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. There are many uncertainties regarding the ongoing pandemic, and we are closely monitoring its impact on all aspects of our business, including how it impacts our employees, suppliers, vendors, and business partners. The pandemic has resulted in government authorities implementing numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines,

stay-at-home

or
shelter-in-place
orders, and business shutdowns. These measures may adversely impact our employees and operations and the operations of suppliers and business partners. In addition, various aspects of our business cannot be conducted remotely. These measures by government authorities may continue to remain in place for a significant period of time and could adversely affect our development plans, sales and marketing activities, and business operations.

The evolution of the virus is unpredictable at this point and any resurgence may slow down our ability to develop our quantum computing program. The ongoing
COVID-19
pandemic could limit the ability of suppliers and business partners to perform, including third-party suppliers’ ability to provide components and materials. We may also experience an increase in the cost of raw materials. The full impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic continues to evolve. As such, the full magnitude of the pandemic’s effect on our financial condition, liquidity and future results of operations is uncertain. Management continues to actively monitor our financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry, and workforce.

Key Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

We have generated limited revenues since our inception. We derive revenue from providing access to quantum computing as a service (“QCaaS”) and professional services related to
co-developing
algorithms on our

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quantum computing systems. In arrangements with the cloud service providers, the cloud service provider is considered the customer and we do not have any contractual relationships with the cloud service providers’ end users.

We have determined that our QCaaS contracts represent a combined, stand-ready performance obligation to provide access to our quantum computing systems together with related maintenance and support. The transaction price for our contracts generally includes a variable fee based on usage of our quantum computing systems and may include a fixed fee for a minimum volume of usage to be made available over a defined period of access. Fixed fee arrangements may also include a variable component whereby customers pay an amount for usage over contractual minimums contained in the contracts. For contracts with a fixed transaction price, the fixed fee is recognized as QCaaS subscription-based revenues on a straight-line basis over the access period. For contracts without fixed fees, variable usage fees are billed and recognized during the period of such usage.

We are currently focused on marketing our QCaaS and have entered into, and are continuing to enter into new contracts with customers.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of revenue

Cost of revenue primarily consists of expenses related to delivering our services, including personnel-related expenses, allocated facility and other costs for customer facing functions, and costs associated with maintaining the cloud on which the QCaaS resides beginning in the period that QCaaS revenue generating activities began. Personnel-related expenses include salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation. Cost of revenue excludes depreciation and amortization related to our quantum computing systems and related software.

Research and development

Research and development expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, and allocated facility and other costs for our research and development functions. Unlike a standard computer, design and development efforts continue throughout the useful life of our quantum computing systems to ensure proper calibration and optimal functionality. Research and development expenses also include purchased hardware and software costs related to quantum computing systems constructed for research purposes that are not probable of providing future economic benefit and have no alternate future use as well as costs associated with third-party research and development arrangements.

Sales and marketing

Sales and marketing and marketing expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, costs for direct advertising, marketing and promotional expenditures and allocated facility and other costs for our sales and marketing functions. We expect to continue to make the necessary sales and marketing investments to enable us to increase our market penetration and expand our customer base.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, and allocated facility and other costs for our corporate, executive, finance, and other administrative functions. General and administrative expenses also include expenses for outside professional services, including legal, auditing and accounting services, recruitment expenses, information technology, travel expenses and certain
non-income
taxes, insurance, and other administrative expenses.

We expect our general and administrative expenses to increase for the foreseeable future as we scale headcount with the growth of our business, and as a result of operating as a public company, including

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compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, NYSE, legal, audit, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities, and other administrative and professional services. As a result, we expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase in absolute dollars but may fluctuate as a percentage of total revenue over time.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense results from depreciation and amortization of our property and equipment and intangible assets that is recognized over their estimated lives.

Nonoperating Costs and Expenses

Change in fair value of warrant liabilities

The change in fair value of warrant liabilities consists of

mark-to-market

fair value adjustments recorded associated with the public and private placement warrants assumed as part of the business combination.

Offering costs associated with warrants

Offering costs associated with warrants consist of transaction costs that have been allocated to the public and private warrants and were expensed upon consummation of the business combination on September 30, 2021 based on the relative fair value of the equity issued and the liability-classified warrants.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net consists of income earned on our money market funds and other available for sale investments offset by certain other expenses.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our statements of operations for the periods indicated:

Year Ended December 31,
20212020
(in thousands)
Revenue$2,099$
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)(1)1,040143
Research and development(1)20,22810,157
Sales and marketing(1)3,233486
General and administrative(1)13,7373,547
Depreciation and amortization2,5481,400
Total operating costs and expenses40,78615,733
Loss from operations(38,687)(15,733)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities(63,332)
Offering costs associated with warrants(4,259)
Other income (expense), net92309
Loss before benefit for income taxes(106,186)(15,424)
Benefit for income taxes
Net loss$(106,186)$(15,424)

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Column 1Column 2
(1)Cost of revenue, research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses for the periods include stock- based compensation expense as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
20212020
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue$62$
Research and development2,841716
Sales and marketing67
General and administrative4,778508

Comparison of the Year Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

Revenue

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20212020
(in thousands)
Revenue$2,099$$2,099100%

Revenue increased by $2.1 million, or 100%, to $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from zero for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily driven by four revenue contracts under which we provided services during the year ended December 31, 2021. While we generated revenue in 2020, we executed an arrangement with a customer for the issuance of a warrant to purchase shares of Legacy IonQ Series
B-1
convertible redeemable preferred stock. The warrant was evaluated and considered to represent consideration provided to a customer and as such, the recognition of the warrant expense is recorded as a reduction in revenue as revenue is earned under the contract. The increase in revenue in 2021 was also partially due to the contract asset related to the warrant being fully amortized during the year. See Note 11—Warrant Transaction Agreement to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Cost of revenue

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20212020
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)$1,040$143$897627%

Cost of revenue increased by $0.9 million, or 627%, to $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was driven by the increase in costs to service active contracts for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Research and development

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20212020
(in thousands)
Research and development$20,228$10,157$10,07199%

Research and development expense increased by $10.1 million, or 99%, to $20.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily driven

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by a $4.9 million increase in
payroll-related
expenses, including stock-based compensation of $2.1 million, as a result of increased headcount, a $1.3 million increase due to amortization of the Duke and UMD research and development arrangements, a $1.3 million increase in materials, supplies and equipment costs, and a $2.6 million increase in miscellaneous other research and development expenses.

Sales and marketing

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20212020
(in thousands)
Sales and marketing$3,233$486$2,747565%

Sales and marketing expense increased by $2.7 million, or 565%, to $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to increased costs to promote service offerings and other marketing initiatives of approximately $2.0 million and an increase of $0.8 million of payroll-related expenses as a result of increased headcount.

General and administrative

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20212020
(in thousands)
General and administrative$13,737$3,547$10,190287%

General and administrative expenses increased by $10.2 million, or 287%, to $13.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $6.3 million in payroll-related expenses, including an increase in stock-based compensation of $4.3 million, due to increased headcount to support the growth of our business, an increase of $1.2 million in legal fees, an increase of $1.1 million in directors and officers insurance costs as a result of becoming a public company, an increase of $0.8 million in auditing and accounting fees, and an increase of $0.7 million in rent and utilities costs due to expansion of headquarters office space in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Depreciation and amortization

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20212020
(in thousands)
Depreciation and amortization$2,548$1,400$1,14882%

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $1.1 million, or 82%, to $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $0.5 million due to amortization of capitalized internally developed software, an increase of $0.6 million in depreciation expense associated with capitalized quantum computing system costs and capitalized research and development equipment.

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Change in fair value of warrant liabilities

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20212020
(in thousands)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities$63,332$$63,332100%

The change in fair value of warrant liabilities increased $63.3 million as a result of

mark-to-market

expense adjustments recorded for the public and private placement warrants assumed as part of the business combination.

Offering costs associated with warrants

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20212020
(in thousands)
Offering costs associated with warrants$4,259$$4,259100%

In connection with the business combination, $4.3 million of transaction costs were allocated and expensed related to the liability-classified public and private warrants.

Other income (expense), net

Year Ended December 31,$ Change% Change
20212020
(in thousands)
Other income (expense), net$92$309$(217)(70)%

Other income (expense), net decreased by $0.2 million, or 70%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was due to a $0.2 million decrease in short-term dividend income.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $399 million and available-for-sale securities of $203.5 million, with $123.4 million classified as short-term investments and $80.1 million classified as long-term investments. We believe that our cash, cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2021 will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs for the next 12 months. We believe we will meet longer term expected future cash requirements and obligations through a combination of cash flows from operating activities and available funds from our cash, cash equivalents and investment balances. However, this determination is based upon internal projections and is subject to changes in market and business conditions. We have incurred losses since our inception and as of December 31, 2021, we had an accumulated deficit of $145.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we incurred net losses of $106.2 million. We expect to incur additional losses and higher operating expenses for the foreseeable future.

Future Funding Requirements

We expect our principal sources of liquidity will continue to be our cash and investments and any additional capital we may obtain through additional equity or debt financings. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including investments in growth and technology. We may in the future enter into arrangements to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, services, and technologies which may require us to seek additional equity or debt financing.

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Upon the closing of the business combination, we received approximately $636.0 million of gross proceeds. The proceeds are invested in money market funds, commercial paper, corporate and municipal notes and bonds, and other U.S. government and agency securities as disclosed in Note 3—Cash Equivalents and Investments in our consolidated financial statements. The investments will be used to fund the strategic operations of the Company.

Our primary uses of cash are to fund our operations as we continue to grow our business. We require a significant amount of cash for expenditures as we invest in ongoing research and development, and commercialization of our products. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from sales of our QCaaS, if ever, we expect to finance our cash needs through our cash, cash equivalents and investments as well as equity or debt financings or other capital sources, including potential collaborations and other similar arrangements. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements when needed on favorable terms or at all. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be or could be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our stockholders. Debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, or declaring dividends. If we raise funds through collaborations, or other similar arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our quantum computing technology on terms that may not be favorable to us and/or may reduce the value of our common stock. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our quantum computing development efforts. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including those set forth in the section titled “

Risk Factors

.”

Other than operating expenses, including our continued investment in our quantum computers, cash requirements for fiscal 2022 are expected to consist primarily of capital expenditures for corporate facilities.

The following table summarizes current and long-term material cash requirements as of December 31, 2021, which we expect to fund primarily with cash and cash equivalents (

in millions

):

Material Cash Requirements
TotalLess than 1 Year1 - 3 Years3 - 5 YearsMore than 5 Years
Operating lease obligations(1)$6,984$644$1,421$1,568$3,351
Total$6,984$644$1,421$1,568$3,351
Column 1Column 2
(1)Amounts include direct lease obligations, excluding any taxes, insurance and other related expenses.

Cash flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the period indicated:

Year Ended December 31,
20212020
(in thousands)
Net cash used in operating activities$(26,537)$(12,007)
Net cash used in investing activities(213,785)(11,676)
Net cash provided by financing activities603,227276

Cash flows from operating activities

Our cash flows from operating activities are significantly affected by the growth of our business primarily related to research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative activities. Our

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operating cash flows are also affected by our working capital needs to support growth in personnel-related expenditures and fluctuations in accounts payable and other current assets and liabilities.

Net cash used in operating activities during year ended December 31, 2021 was $26.5 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $106.2 million, adjusted for
non-cash
charges of $63.3 million in

mark-to-market

fair value adjustments associated with our warrant liabilities, $7.7 million in stock-based compensation, $4.3 million in offering costs associated with warrants, $2.5 million in depreciation and amortization, and $1.3 million in costs associated with research and development arrangements. The increase in net cash used in operations from the prior year was primarily related to noncash expenses as well as our increased research and development activities and hiring of personnel to support the growth of our business and being a public company.

Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 was $12.0 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $15.4 million, adjusted for
non-cash
charges of $1.4 million in depreciation and amortization and $1.2 million in stock-based compensation. The increase in net cash used in operations from the prior year was primarily related to our increased research and development activities and hiring of personnel.

Cash flows from investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $213.8 million primarily resulting from purchases of available-for-sale securities of $203.8 million, additions of $7.8 million to property and equipment primarily related to the development of our quantum computing systems, $1.6 million of capitalized internal software development costs, and $0.6 million of intangible asset acquisition costs.

Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 was $11.7 million primarily resulting from additions of $10.0 million to property and equipment primarily related to the development of our quantum computing systems, $1.1 million of capitalized internal software development costs, and $0.5 million of intangible assets acquisition costs.

Cash flows from financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $603.2 million primarily reflecting proceeds received from the business combination, including the PIPE investment, as well as cash received from the exercise of warrants and exercise of stock options.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 was $0.3 million primarily reflecting proceeds from stock options exercised.

Critical Accounting Estimates

This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We also make estimates and assumptions on revenue generated and reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Our critical accounting policies are described in greater detail in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Critical accounting estimates are defined as those reflective of significant judgments, estimates and uncertainties, which may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have listed below our critical accounting estimates that we believe to have the greatest potential impact on our

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consolidated financial statements. Historically, our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to our critical accounting estimates have not differed materially from actual results.

Revenue recognition

We derive revenue from our QCaaS arrangements as well as from professional services related to
co-developing
and running algorithms on our quantum computing systems.

We have applied judgement in determining that our QCaaS contracts represent a combined, stand-ready performance obligation to provide access to our quantum computing systems together with related maintenance and support. For arrangements with multiple performance obligations, judgement is used to determine whether multiple services in the contract should be accounted for separately or as a group. Judgement is also applied when determining the relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation as this is used to allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation within the contract. In addition, we apply judgment in evaluating any consideration payable to the customer and whether it is in exchange for distinct goods or services or should be reflected as a reduction of revenue.

For arrangements where we enter into multiple contracts with a single counterparty at or near the same time, we use judgement in determining whether the contracts should be combined and whether we should account for them as a single contract. We account for them as a single contract when one or more of the following criteria are met: (i) the contracts are negotiated as a package with a single commercial objective; (ii) consideration to be paid in one contract depends on the price or performance of the other contract; and (iii) goods or services promised are a single performance obligation.

Contracts with customers are evaluated at the time of execution and may vary in terms. The amount of revenue recognized in a period may vary with respect to the allocation of arrangement consideration to performance obligations with different revenue recognition patterns and changes to existing contract terms.

Quantum computing systems

Quantum computing systems are included within property and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheet. Prior to 2019, we built certain quantum computing systems solely for research and development purposes and these quantum computing systems were deemed to have no alternative future use. In 2019, we began to commercialize our quantum computing systems via the offering of QCaaS and quantum computing systems built thereafter were determined to provide a probable future economic benefit. As a result, hardware and labor costs associated with the building of such quantum computing systems were capitalized in the period the costs were incurred. Costs to maintain quantum computing systems are expensed as incurred.

Judgement is used to determine when hardware and labor costs incurred for our quantum computing systems should be capitalized as a result of our assessment of whether the system will provide a probable future economic benefit and whether or not the costs represent activities necessary to build the systems, maintain the systems or to perform certain research and development functions. Judgement is also used to determine when the systems are placed into service and the estimated useful life of the associated systems.

Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the assessment of capitalized costs which could result in material changes to reported property and equipment, net. The amount of depreciation expense associated with the quantum computing systems may also vary based on the estimated useful life.

Capitalized internally developed software

Capitalized internally developed software, which is included in intangible assets, net, on the consolidated balance sheet, consists of costs to purchase and develop
internal-use
software, which we use to provide services to our customers.

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Judgement is used to determine when costs to develop
internal-use
software for a specific project should be capitalized and whether or not the costs represent activities necessary to enhance the functionality of the software or maintain the performance of the software, and whether it is considered probable that the software will be used to perform the function intended. Judgement is also used to determine when the software is available for use as well as the estimated useful life of the software.

The assumptions used to capitalize internally developed software costs consider when the preliminary project stage is completed, whether the software will perform the function intended, and whether the development activities enhance the functionality of the software or maintain the performance of the software. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the assessment of capitalized costs which could result in material changes to reported intangible assets, net. The amortization of capitalized internally developed software may also be impacted by the estimated useful life associated with these intangible assets.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, such as our quantum computing systems and capitalized internally developed software are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

As of December 31, 2021, we did not have an impairment of any long-lived assets. In determining whether a potential impairment exists, judgement is used in determining the level at which the assessment is made. We have determined that the company consists of one entity-wide asset group for purposes of assessing whether a triggering event has occurred that would indicate the long-lived asset group’s carrying value is not recoverable. Impairment calculations, if necessary, contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values. Key assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values include projected revenue growth and operating expenses, as well as forecasting asset useful lives and selecting an appropriate discount rate with respect to any terminal value cash flows.

Triggering events occur when there are indicators that the carrying value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. These indicators may include internal and external economic factors, including significant decrease in market price of our capital stock, adverse market conditions, and an adverse change in the manner of which the asset is used. The assumptions used to assess impairment consider historical trends, macroeconomic conditions, and projections consistent with our operating strategy including the pace of technological change or specific technological challenges in building our quantum computing systems. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the assessment of fair value which could result in material impairment losses.

Warrant liabilities

Our private placement warrant liabilities are financial instruments that were initially recorded at fair value on the issuance date and were
re-valued
upon exercise or at each reporting date. All private placement warrants were exercised as of December 31, 2021.

Estimates were used to determine the fair value of the private placement warrants, specifically, when assumed as part of the business combination and then again upon exercise during the year. The fair value of the private placement warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Inherent in the valuation were assumptions related to expected stock-price volatility, expected term, risk- free interest rate and dividend yield. We estimated the volatility of the private placement warrants based on implied volatility from our publicly traded warrants and from historical volatility of select peer company’s common stock that matches the expected remaining life of the private placement warrants. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury
zero-coupon
yield curve on the measurement date for a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the private placement warrants. The expected life of the private placement warrants was assumed to be equivalent to their remaining contractual term. The dividend rate was based on the historical rate, which we anticipated remaining at zero.

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The assumed expected stock-price volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield have a significant impact on the amounts recorded as

mark-to-market

adjustments for the private placement warrants. We believe the estimates applied were based on reasonable assumptions, but which were inherently uncertain. As a result, actual results may differ from the assumptions and judgments used to determine the fair value of the private placement warrants.

Equity valuations and Stock-based compensation

Prior to the business combination, the fair value of our equity instruments and the associated stock-based compensation charges for stock options granted was determined based upon information available at the time of grant. Given the absence of a public trading market for our capital stock at the time of grant for awards granted prior to the business combination, and in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Aid,

Valuation of Privately Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation

, our management exercised reasonable judgment and considered numerous objective and subjective factors to determine the best estimate of the fair value of our equity instruments at each grant date.

As there was no public market for Legacy IonQ’s equity prior to the business combination, valuations of equity instruments required the application of significant estimates, assumptions, and judgments. These valuations impact various amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements, including the amounts recorded for stock-based compensation. The following factors impact the significant estimates, assumptions and judgments that drive the determination of the fair values of the Legacy IonQ preferred and common stock that comprised Legacy IonQ’s capital structure prior to the business combination:

Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
contemporaneous valuations performed at periodic intervals by independent, third-party specialists;
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
our actual operating and financial performance;
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
our current business conditions and projections;
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
our progress on research and development efforts;
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
our stage of development;
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
the prices, preferences, and privileges of shares of Legacy IonQ convertible preferred stock relative to shares of common stock;
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
likelihood of achieving a liquidity event for the underlying equity instruments, such as a business combination, given prevailing market conditions;
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
lack of marketability of Legacy IonQ common stock; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
macroeconomic conditions.

We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the estimated fair value for stock options. No stock options have been granted subsequent to the business combination.

The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires the use of subjective assumptions, which determine the fair value of our stock options, including the fair value of our common stock, the option’s expected term, the price volatility of the underlying common stock, risk-free interest rates, and the expected dividend yield of the common stock. The assumptions used to determine the fair value of the stock options represent management’s best estimates. These estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment.

If any assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model change significantly, stock option compensation expense for future awards may differ materially compared with the expense for awards granted previously. We believe the estimates applied to be based on reasonable assumptions, but which are inherently uncertain.

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Emerging Growth Company Status and Smaller Reporting Company Status

Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can choose not to take advantage of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to
non-emerging
growth companies, and any such election to not take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable. During the extended transition period, it may be difficult or impossible to compare our financial results with the financial results of another public company that complies with public company effective dates for accounting standard updates because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

We will remain an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act until the earliest of (a) December 31, 2025, (b) the last date of our fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (c) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the rules of the SEC with at least $700.0 million of outstanding securities held by
non-affiliates
or (d) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in
non-convertible
debt securities during the previous three years.

We are also a smaller reporting company as defined in the Exchange Act. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled disclosures for so long as (i) our voting and
non-voting
common stock held by nonaffiliates is less than $250.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter or (ii) our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and
non-voting
common stock held by
non-affiliates
is less than $700.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.