WISeKey and SEALSQ launch Quantisimo in $575m SPAC merger with GigCapital8

WISeKey International Holding and its SEALSQ subsidiary are taking their quantum technology vehicle Quantisimo public through a SPAC merger at a $575 million enterprise value, with plans to reach $2 billion through acquisitions.

WISeKey International Holding Ltd. and SEALSQ Corp. plan to take their jointly established quantum technology vehicle Quantisimo Corp. public through a SPAC merger with GigCapital8 Corp. at a $575 million pre-money enterprise value, targeting $2 billion through the acquisition of up to five additional quantum companies.

"We believe the world is entering the Quantum Age," said Carlos Creus Moreira, founder and chief executive officer of WISeKey and chairman of SEALSQ. "Just as the Internet transformed the global economy over the past three decades, quantum technologies are expected to redefine computing, communications, security and artificial intelligence over the coming decades."

The non-binding letter of intent signed Wednesday calls for Quantisimo to combine with GigCapital8, the eighth special purpose acquisition company from the GigCapital Global franchise. The parties intend to increase the initial $575 million valuation to $2 billion through "build-up consolidated acquisitions" of as many as five quantum companies. SEALSQ will contribute selected assets from its SealQuantum.com portfolio, including investments, technologies and intellectual property across the quantum economy. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027.

The deal comes three days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled "Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation," committing the U.S. to accelerate quantum computing, sensing, networking and workforce development. Quantisimo is designed as a "Trusted Quantum Pure-Play" platform — a publicly traded company whose value derives entirely from participation in the quantum technology ecosystem, giving investors focused exposure to a sector that Moreira said will "redefine computing, communications, security and artificial intelligence over the coming decades."

A $2 Billion Consolidation Play

Quantisimo defines a quantum pure-play company as one whose principal value proposition comes from the quantum technology ecosystem. Unlike companies focused on a single aspect of quantum technology — hardware, cryptography or sensing — Quantisimo aims to combine proprietary technologies, strategic investments, partnerships and acquisitions under one publicly traded entity. The platform will leverage WISeKey's expertise in digital trust and cybersecurity alongside SEALSQ's semiconductor and post-quantum cryptographic technologies.

Dr. Avi Katz, founder, executive chairman and chief executive officer of GigCapital Global and GigCapital8, said the SPAC was focused on "exploring the advanced aerospace and defense vertical, and in particular leading-edge quantum platform for consolidation." He said investors are "increasingly seeking exposure to quantum technologies but currently have limited opportunities to participate in the sector through diversified public market vehicles."

WISeKey has deployed more than 1.6 billion microchips across various IoT sectors and operates through five subsidiaries including SEALSQ, WISeSat, WISe.ART and SEALCOIN. SEALSQ, which trades on Nasdaq under the ticker LAES, focuses on post-quantum semiconductors designed to address security challenges posed by quantum computing, which threatens traditional cryptographic methods such as RSA and elliptic curve cryptography.

Policy Tailwinds and Parallel SPACs

Trump's June 22 executive order confirmed Quantisimo's strategic vision, according to the companies. The U.S. commitment to expanding public-private partnerships and trusted supply chains in quantum technology is expected to accelerate adoption of quantum-enabled applications and post-quantum security solutions worldwide. The order covers quantum computing, sensing, networking, workforce development and trusted supply chains — all areas where Quantisimo plans to operate.

WISeKey is pursuing a second SPAC transaction in parallel. Its subsidiary WISeSat.Space Corp. filed a registration statement on Form F-4 with the SEC on May 29 for a business combination with Columbus Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: COLA). That deal, expected to close under the brand SPACEAIQ with the ticker "SAIQ," would create a European quantum-secure satellite platform for sovereign connectivity. Moreira said the filing "reflects continued progress on the proposed business combination with CAC and our objective to create a European, quantum-secure satellite platform for sovereign and trusted connectivity."

The Quantisimo transaction remains subject to the execution of definitive agreements, regulatory approvals, shareholder approvals and financing arrangements. There can be no assurance that definitive agreements will be executed or that the proposed transaction will be completed, the companies said.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.