BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) has announced that BASF Venture Capital is joining a group of prominent investors in the Series A investment round of Zapata Computing, Inc. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Zapata is developing both a powerful software platform as well as specific applications for Global 1000 companies to effectively utilize a range of emerging quantum computing hardware. By investing in Zapata, BASF Venture Capital supports BASF’s strategic goal to take advantage of the opportunities that digitalization offers along the entire value chain.
Quantum computing will enable BASF experts to very efficiently investigate complex questions and it will further shorten the time it takes to launch new products. Zapata, which was spun-out of Harvard University in 2017, will use the funds raised to expand its scientific team and further develop its software platform to meet growing customer demand. BASF joins a round led by Comcast Ventures and Prelude Ventures, together with new and existing investors including Pitango Ventures, Pillar Venture Capital, and The Engine.