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.

Quantum computing stocks have been losing ever since Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said widespread applications of quantum computing are still decades away. But investors are rewarding these companies once again on Wednesday after Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) made a statement that starkly differs from Huang’s view on quantum computing.