When you look at the quantum computing world, it's easy to get lost in talk about qubits and error correction. But for investors, the conversation always circles back to the money. Specifically, Alan Baratz net worth has become a hot topic as D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS) rides the rollercoaster of the 2026 market.
Is he a billionaire? No. But he’s doing incredibly well for a guy leading a company that’s still trying to turn a profit.
✨ Don't miss: Real Estate Investment Calculators: Why Your Spreadsheet Might Be Lying to You
As of January 2026, most estimates peg Alan Baratz net worth at roughly $75 million to $110 million. That’s a wide range, I know. The reason for the gap is basically how you count his unvested shares and his recent flurry of "sell to cover" transactions.
Where the wealth actually comes from
Most of Alan Baratz's wealth isn't sitting in a savings account. It’s tied up in over 2.6 million shares of D-Wave stock. If the stock price breathes, his net worth shifts by millions.
For instance, back in late 2025, QBTS was hitting highs around $46. At that point, on paper, Alan was looking at a nine-figure fortune. Fast forward to January 17, 2026, and the stock is hovering near **$28.83**. That’s a massive haircut, but honestly, he’s still in the elite tier of tech executives.
Here’s a breakdown of his recent activity:
- December 22, 2025: Sold 793,712 shares at an average of $30.13, netting about $23.9 million.
- January 14, 2026: Sold another 35,013 shares at $28.06 to cover tax obligations.
- Current Holdings: He still directly owns about 2,598,150 shares.
Alan Baratz Net Worth and the D-Wave Paycheck
If you’re wondering about his "day job" money, it’s substantial but not the main driver of his wealth. His total yearly compensation usually lands around $1.72 million.
His base salary is roughly $575,000. The rest? Bonuses and stock options. It’s the classic Silicon Valley setup: low (relatively) cash, high equity. If D-Wave wins, he wins big. If the "quantum winter" returns, his net worth takes a nosedive.
The Sun Microsystems and Cisco Legacy
You can't talk about Alan’s money without looking at where he came from. He didn't just stumble into quantum. He was the first president of JavaSoft at Sun Microsystems. Think about that. He oversaw the birth of Java. He’s also held high-level roles at:
- Cisco
- Avaya
- IBM
- Warburg Pincus (as a Managing Director)
He’s been in the room for some of the biggest tech shifts of the last thirty years. This means he likely walked into the D-Wave CEO role in 2022 already quite wealthy from decades of executive payouts and private equity work.
What Most People Get Wrong About CEO Net Worth
There’s a common misconception that when a CEO like Baratz sells $24 million worth of stock, he’s "dumping" it because the company is failing. In reality, these are often Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. These are pre-scheduled sales to avoid insider trading accusations.
Also, a huge chunk of his "sales" are actually "sell to cover" transactions. When his Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) vest, the tax man wants his cut immediately. Alan has to sell a portion of those shares just to pay the IRS. It's basically a mandatory transaction, not a lack of faith in quantum annealing technology.
The 2026 Outlook for D-Wave
The company’s market cap is currently sitting at about $10 billion. It’s a bit of a David vs. Goliath situation. They are competing against IBM, Google, and IonQ.
D-Wave recently made a huge move by agreeing to acquire Quantum Circuits Inc. for $550 million. This deal is supposed to help them master "gate-model" quantum computing, which is the holy grail of the industry. While investors are worried about dilution, the long-term play could skyrocket Alan Baratz net worth if they actually pull off a scalable, error-corrected system by the end of the year.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Executive Wealth
If you're tracking the net worth of tech leaders like Baratz, don't just look at the total number.
- Watch the SEC Form 4 Filings: This is where the real data lives. It tells you exactly when they sold, at what price, and whether it was a discretionary trade or a tax-related "sell to cover."
- Follow the "Vesting Schedule": A CEO's net worth is often a "paper" number until their options actually vest. Unvested shares can vanish if they leave the company or if performance targets aren't met.
- Understand the Tech: In Baratz's case, his wealth is a proxy for the market's belief in quantum annealing. If you think optimization problems in logistics and finance are the future, his net worth is likely going up. If you think gate-model is the only way forward, you might want to be more cautious.
Keep an eye on the upcoming Q4 earnings report in March. That's the next major catalyst that will either pad Alan's portfolio or send the "net worth" trackers back to their spreadsheets for a downward revision.