Zapata Computing, one of the leading software companies that focus on quantum-classical applications, has recently announced that is expanding its operations by registering a new legal entity in the UK. This expansion is going to enable Zapata Computing to work more closely on projects that are restricted on export by the UK’s government, namely the (ISCF) Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, (NQCC) the national Quantum Computing Centre, the Department of Trade and Industry, and also enterprises and collaborations with local universities. Until now Zapata has offices in Boston and Toronto, as well as some presence in Japan.
“As both a hotbed of innovation and a nerve center of the global economy, the United Kingdom is a natural place for us to expand our presence. Deepening customer and partner relationships in the UK allows us to work more closely with global organizations to develop production-ready quantum applications. These solutions leverage the best in classical computing and current quantum devices and techniques for impact today—but are also built to accommodate increases in quantum device capabilities over time.”
Christopher Savoie, Zapata’s CEO
This new presence is going to allow Zapata to offer its Orquestra platform to many UK-based and European enterprises, government institutions, and universities that are in the search for building quantum-classical software in quantum machine learning, simulation, and optimization. With Zapata’s software Orchestra, these organizations do not have to wait for the quantum hardware technology to mature. They can easily build computational workflows with today’s NISQ devices that are designed to be forward compatible with the quantum devices of the near future. Namely, Kuano.ai a UK company that is accelerating drug discovery by combining quantum computing with AI is going to be among the first users of the Orquestra platform in the UK.
“We are excited to work with Zapata as part of our Innovate UK grant to maximise the potential of quantum computing in life sciences. The Kuano platform uses AI and quantum simulations to design compounds capable of selectively blocking specific enzymes by targeting the quantum transition state of the enzyme catalysis process. Quantum computing has the potential to transform our ability to model quantum hard enzyme transition states, unlocking hugely valuable first-in-class enzyme drug targets.”
Kuano CEO Vid Stojevic
This collaboration with Kuano builds upon Zapata’s global plan to deliver quantum-ready software. Previously Zapata has also announced their collaboration with Spanish BBVA and Saudi’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and also, they have been working with other global enterprises in biopharma, logistics, and finance. In their UK business, they appointed Shane Rigby to be their Business Development Lead.
About Zapata Computing
Zapata Computing is a company that builds quantum-ready applications using their flagship product Orquestra. They have pioneered the new quantum-classical development and deployment paradigm which focuses exclusively on a range of use cases, including Machine Learning, simulation, and optimization. Their Orquestra software’s main goal is to integrate the best-in-class classical technologies and quantum technologies, including their cutting-edge algorithms, different open source libraries in Python, and much more. Zapata’s partners with many different quantum hardware providers across the world such as Honeywell, IBM, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, IonQ, and Rigetti. Their investors include Honeywell Ventures, Comcast Ventures, Itochu Corporation, Robert Bosh Venture Capitals, BASF Venture Capital, and others.