Rigetti Computing shares rise following $100M U.S. government deal

Rigetti Computing shares rose 4% during mid-day trading, reaching as high as $17.05, following news of a $100 million definitive agreement with the U.S. government. The company is one of three quantum-computing firms receiving support under a $300 million federal program, which involves the government taking a minority, non-controlling equity stake.

Despite the positive sentiment from federal funding, Rigetti's Chief Financial Officer, Jeffrey A. Bertelsen, sold 25,000 shares of common stock on September 3, 2026, valued at approximately $375,000. The sale was executed through a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted in June 2026. Following the transaction, Bertelsen retains 168,067 directly held shares.