Stocks of quantum computing companies jumped Wednesday after Microsoft declared this as “the year to become quantum-ready,” adding “we are at the advent of the reliable quantum computing era.” Shares of Rigetti Computing and D-Wave Quantum were both up more than 22 percent.

Since Google broke onto the quantum scene with its Willow quantum chip, the quantum sector has also come under the microscope. Companies in this developing quantum era are positioning themselves for long-term growth and are being watched closely by investors and analysts alike.

Speculators are back on the hunt for early investments in quantum computing stocks after Microsoft’s President and Chief Operating Officer of Strategic Missions and Technologies, Mitra Azizirad, is now writing that 2025 is the year to become “quantum ready”.