Strangeworks

Strangeworks is a quantum technology and unconventional computing software company headquartered in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2018 by William “whurley” Hurley, the company was created to make quantum computing practical and accessible for businesses, software developers, researchers, IT administrators, and chief information officers. Its core mission is to remove the barriers surrounding quantum computing and guide organisations through its complexity so that advanced computing can be used for real business outcomes.

Strangeworks provides a cloud-based platform that brings together quantum computing, quantum-inspired computing, classical high-performance computing and artificial intelligence into one unified environment. The platform allows users to research, formulate, execute and analyse complex problems using natural language workflows. This approach removes the need for deep scientific or hardware expertise while still enabling organisations to build and deploy valuable solutions. The platform supports industries such as optimisation, logistics, finance, energy, aerospace and manufacturing.

The company’s main products include the Strangeworks Compute Platform, Optimisation services and Strangeworks Workflows, which help organisations prototype solutions, analyse results, improve existing systems and integrate advanced compute technologies into their current operations. Strangeworks also provides user-friendly APIs and SDKs, enterprise security, guided engagement packages and scalable deployment options. The platform connects users with over 40 quantum and quantum-inspired resource partners through its Quantum Syndicate ecosystem.

Strangeworks has established strong global partnerships with major technology and research organisations including IBM, Hitachi, NEC, Toshiba, Rigetti, Quantinuum, Deloitte, ColdQuanta and many others. In 2023 the company raised a $24 million Series A round led by Hitachi Ventures with investment from IBM and Raytheon Technologies. In 2025 Strangeworks acquired Quantagonia to expand its capabilities in applied AI, optimisation and hybrid computing, and signed a global partnership with Tech Mahindra to accelerate enterprise adoption of quantum and quantum-inspired solutions. It also expanded operations into India and Sri Lanka.

Strangeworks was founded in 2018 in Austin, Texas by William “whurley” Hurley. The organisation was created with a clear objective: to make quantum computing usable for businesses, developers, researchers and IT leaders by removing the technical and organisational barriers that prevented companies from working with advanced computing systems. From its earliest stage, Strangeworks focused on building a single platform where users could access quantum hardware, quantum-inspired technologies and high-performance computing without needing specialist scientific knowledge.

In June 2018, Strangeworks raised $4 million in seed funding led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, with participation from Ecliptic Capital, GreatPoint Ventures, Lux Capital, BoxGroup and Amplify Partners. This funding allowed the company to expand its development team and begin building its first commercial platform.

During 2021, Strangeworks started building its global ecosystem of technology partners. In February 2021, the company launched its Quantum Ecosystem and expanded into Europe. In the same year it integrated major quantum and classical computing resources into its platform, including partnerships with IBM, Rigetti, ColdQuanta, Multiverse Computing, Cambridge Quantum Computing, QURECA and several other hardware and software providers. These integrations allowed users to access quantum computers, simulators and development tools through a single interface.

Throughout 2022, Strangeworks continued to extend its platform. It introduced consumption-based pricing for IBM Quantum services, partnered with Quantinuum to deliver quantum-based cryptographic services, and supported the creation of the Open Quantum Institute in Geneva. It also launched early access programmes and expanded its Backstage Pass offering for research and development teams.

In 2023, Strangeworks reached a major milestone. In March 2023 the company announced $24 million in Series A funding led by Hitachi Ventures, with investment from IBM and Raytheon Technologies and continued backing from its earlier investors. This funding supported the expansion of its platform beyond quantum computing into classical and quantum-inspired high-performance computing. In April 2023, Strangeworks released the general availability of its Advanced Compute Platform, allowing enterprises to run complex workloads using multiple compute technologies from one environment.

During 2024, the company continued adding commercial products and partnerships. It expanded its partnership with NEC, became the first international reseller of NEC quantum-inspired solutions and announced plans to open a Tokyo office. It also introduced Strangeworks Workflows, enabling businesses to move from idea to implementation using natural language driven development.

In 2025, Strangeworks accelerated its global growth. In July it expanded operations into India and Sri Lanka to support enterprise and research adoption in the region. In August it acquired Quantagonia, combining applied artificial intelligence, optimisation, high-performance computing and quantum computing into a single solution stack. In November 2025, Strangeworks signed a global partnership with Tech Mahindra to accelerate quantum and quantum-inspired solutions for enterprises worldwide.

At present, Strangeworks operates as a global advanced computing software company serving enterprises, researchers and public institutions. Its platform integrates quantum computing, quantum-inspired computing, classical computing and AI in one system. The company continues to expand its partner ecosystem, develop AI-powered workflows and deliver solutions that help organisations solve complex business problems while preparing for large-scale quantum adoption.

The mission of Strangeworks is to make quantum computing and advanced computing useful and accessible for everyone. The company aims to remove the technical, financial and organisational barriers that stop businesses from using these powerful technologies. Strangeworks helps organisations move from complex ideas to real solutions by providing easy tools, clear workflows and direct access to advanced computing systems. The focus is on helping companies solve real business problems in areas such as optimisation, logistics, finance, energy, aerospace and manufacturing. By combining quantum computing, quantum-inspired computing and artificial intelligence on one platform, Strangeworks works to turn “what if” into “what is” for organisations worldwide.

The vision of Strangeworks is to build a future where advanced computing is part of everyday business operations. The company wants organisations of all sizes to use quantum computing, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing without needing specialist scientific teams. Strangeworks believes that better access to these technologies will help companies improve decision-making, increase efficiency and prepare for the next generation of computing. Its long-term goal is to create a global computing ecosystem where businesses, researchers and institutions can work together, share knowledge and develop practical solutions that deliver real value today while preparing for the quantum-enabled world of tomorrow.

Strangeworks has received strong recognition within the technology and business community for its workplace culture and innovation. The company has been named a Best Place to Work by the Austin Business Journal and by Quantum Workplace, reflecting its positive work environment and employee engagement. Its rapid growth and industry impact were further recognised when it secured a $24 million Series A funding round in 2023, led by Hitachi Ventures with strategic investment from IBM and Raytheon Technologies. These achievements highlight Strangeworks’ role as a trusted leader in the field of quantum and advanced computing solutions.

Strangeworks provides a complete advanced computing environment that brings together quantum computing, quantum-inspired computing, classical high-performance computing and artificial intelligence into one easy-to-use cloud platform. The company’s products and services are designed to help businesses, developers, researchers and IT leaders solve complex problems without needing deep scientific or hardware knowledge.

At the centre of Strangeworks’ offering is the Strangeworks Compute Platform. This cloud-based platform acts as a single access point to a wide range of computing resources from leading global providers. Users can connect to real quantum computers, quantum simulators, quantum-inspired optimisation systems and classical high-performance computing systems through one interface. This removes the need to manage separate vendor contracts, technical environments and infrastructure. The platform allows teams to develop, test, run and scale advanced computing workloads in a secure and controlled environment.

A major product within the platform is Strangeworks Optimisation. This service helps organisations solve difficult optimisation problems in areas such as logistics, scheduling, finance, supply chains, energy management, manufacturing planning and aerospace operations. By combining classical algorithms, quantum-inspired solvers and emerging quantum systems, Strangeworks allows customers to select the best method for each problem while preparing for future quantum advantages. This hybrid approach delivers results today while keeping companies ready for tomorrow’s technology.

Another core product is Strangeworks Workflows, which enables users to move from idea to execution using natural language. With Workflows, teams can describe problems in plain language, build models, run experiments, analyse results and refine solutions without writing complex code. This significantly lowers technical barriers and allows business teams, engineers and data scientists to work together more effectively. Workflows also support rapid prototyping, scenario testing and solution comparison, helping organisations innovate faster.

Strangeworks also offers enterprise development tools, including user-friendly APIs and SDKs that allow companies to integrate advanced computing directly into their existing software systems and business processes. These tools support secure application development, deployment and scaling, giving organisations full control over how advanced computing is used inside their operations.

Security and governance are central to Strangeworks’ services. The platform provides enterprise-grade security controls, user management, access policies and compliance features that meet the needs of regulated industries and large organisations. IT administrators and CIOs can manage users, workloads and compute resources from a central dashboard, ensuring safe and efficient operations.

A unique part of Strangeworks’ offering is its Quantum Syndicate, a global ecosystem of more than 40 hardware, software, education and service partners. Through this network, customers gain access to technology providers such as IBM, Hitachi, Rigetti, Quantinuum, NEC, Toshiba, ColdQuanta and many others. This ecosystem ensures customers always have access to the latest compute technologies and research developments without being locked into a single provider.

Strangeworks supports customers with guided engagement packages, consulting services and training programmes that help organisations identify use cases, design solutions and build internal skills. These services make it easier for companies to adopt advanced computing and deliver measurable business value.