Zapata Quantum Pivots to Software, Secures $3M Amid Restructuring
Ticker: ZPTAW · Form: 10-K · Filed: Dec 9, 2025 · CIK: 1843714
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Zapata Quantum, Inc. (ZPTAW) |
| Form Type | 10-K |
| Filed Date | Dec 9, 2025 |
| Risk Level | high |
| Pages | 14 |
| Reading Time | 17 min |
| Key Dollar Amounts | $0.0001, $3 million, $450 billion, $850 billion, $90 billion |
| Sentiment | mixed |
Sentiment: mixed
Topics: Quantum Computing, Software Development, Debt Restructuring, Emerging Technology, High Growth Potential, Capital Raise, Hardware-Agnostic
Related Tickers: ZPTAW
TL;DR
**ZPTAW is a high-risk bet on quantum software, having just recapitalized after a near-death experience; proceed with extreme caution.**
AI Summary
Zapata Quantum, Inc. (ZPTAW) reported a strategic realignment in 2025, refocusing on quantum software development after temporarily suspending operations in late 2024 due to limited capital. The company consummated a business combination on March 28, 2024, with Legacy Zapata becoming a wholly owned subsidiary. In June 2025, Zapata initiated debt restructuring and raised $3 million through convertible notes and warrants to reinstate operations. The company, founded in 2017 by Harvard researchers, boasts over 60 granted and pending patents in quantum and hybrid quantum-classical computing. Its hardware-agnostic software platform, including products like Orquestra and the in-development Quantum Graph and Quantum Pilot, aims to address the 'software bottleneck' in quantum adoption. Zapata's business plans are contingent on its ability to raise additional capital to repay vendors, rehire personnel, and fund growth, as highlighted in its risk factors.
Why It Matters
Zapata Quantum's strategic pivot to pure-play quantum software, coupled with its recent debt restructuring and capital raise, is a critical juncture for investors. The company's ability to execute on its hardware-agnostic approach and develop products like Orquestra, Quantum Graph, and Quantum Pilot will determine its competitive standing against larger tech firms entering the quantum space. For employees, the reinstatement of operations offers renewed stability, while customers and the broader market will watch if Zapata can truly unlock 'quantum advantage' and deliver economically meaningful outcomes, potentially disrupting industries from pharmaceuticals to defense.
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: high — The company voluntarily suspended operations in late 2024 due to 'limited capital resources and inability to access adequate liquidity,' indicating severe financial distress. While it raised '$3 million' in June 2025, its 'business plans and operations... will depend on our ability to raise capital needed to repay vendors and creditors, rehire various personnel and fund our working capital and growth needs,' signaling ongoing significant funding uncertainty.
Analyst Insight
Investors should approach ZPTAW with extreme caution, recognizing it as a highly speculative investment in an emerging technology. Monitor closely for further capital raises and concrete revenue generation, as the current business plan is heavily contingent on securing additional funding to re-establish material operations.
Key Numbers
- $3 million — gross proceeds from convertible notes and warrants (raised in June 2025 to reinstate operations)
- 60+ — patents granted and pending (developed over eight years in quantum computing)
- $6,696,894 — aggregate market value of non-affiliate common equity (as of December 29, 2024)
- 162,580,506 — shares of common stock outstanding (as of November 30, 2025)
- $450 billion to $850 billion — estimated economic value from quantum technologies (globally by 2040, according to Boston Consulting Group)
- $90 billion to $170 billion — estimated market for hardware and software providers (by 2040, according to Boston Consulting Group)
- $2 billion — estimated annual global spend on quantum computing technologies (in 2024, growing at 35% per year, according to McKinsey & Co.)
- $400 million — estimated annual spend directed to quantum software and services (in 2024, according to McKinsey & Co.)
Key Players & Entities
- Zapata Quantum, Inc. (company) — registrant
- Legacy Zapata (company) — wholly owned subsidiary after merger
- Harvard University Quantum Computing Lab (company) — origin of Zapata's founders
- DARPA (regulator) — Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, partner in Quantum Benchmarking program
- Weinberg & Company, P.A. (company) — auditor
- Microsoft (company) — declared 2025 as the year of quantum readiness
- Boston Consulting Group (company) — estimated quantum market value
- McKinsey & Co. (company) — estimated annual global spend on quantum computing
FAQ
What is Zapata Quantum's core business strategy after its 2025 realignment?
Following its 2025 strategic realignment, Zapata Quantum's core business strategy is to be a pure-play hardware-agnostic quantum software company, focusing on developing software and tooling to enable enterprises, governments, and researchers to harness quantum computing for economically meaningful outcomes.
How much capital did Zapata Quantum raise in June 2025?
In June 2025, Zapata Quantum sold convertible notes and warrants for gross proceeds of $3 million, which was part of its efforts to commence debt restructuring and reinstate operations after a temporary suspension.
What significant corporate event occurred for Zapata Quantum on March 28, 2024?
On March 28, 2024, Zapata Quantum consummated a business combination where Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy Zapata, resulting in Legacy Zapata becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Zapata Quantum, Inc.
What are some of Zapata Quantum's key software products?
Zapata Quantum's key software products include Orquestra, a platform for developing and executing quantum applications, and Bench-Q, a framework for evaluating quantum algorithms. They also have Quantum Graph and Quantum Pilot currently in development.
Why did Zapata Quantum temporarily suspend operations in late 2024?
Zapata Quantum voluntarily elected to temporarily suspend its operations in late 2024 due to its limited capital resources and inability to access adequate liquidity to continue funding its operations and meet outstanding debt obligations.
What is the estimated market value for quantum technologies by 2040?
A 2024 Boston Consulting Group analysis estimates that quantum technologies will create $450 billion to $850 billion of economic value globally, sustaining a $90 billion to $170 billion market for hardware and software providers by 2040.
What is Zapata Quantum's intellectual property portfolio like?
Zapata Quantum has built one of the industry's most robust intellectual property portfolios in quantum and hybrid quantum-classical computing and algorithmic methods, with over 60 patents granted and pending developed over eight years.
What is the primary risk factor for Zapata Quantum's business plans?
The primary risk factor for Zapata Quantum's business plans is its ability to raise additional capital needed to repay vendors and creditors, rehire personnel, and fund its working capital and growth needs, as its current operations are contingent on securing further funding.
What is the significance of Zapata Quantum's participation in DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking program?
Zapata Quantum is the only organization to have participated across all technical areas of DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking program, which validates its leadership in defining the end-to-end process of quantum application development and execution.
What is the current market spend on quantum computing technologies?
In 2024, McKinsey & Co. estimated annual global spend on quantum computing technologies to be approximately $2 billion, growing at 35% per year, with about $400 million specifically directed to software and services.
Risk Factors
- Capital Raising Contingency [high — financial]: The company's business plans are heavily contingent on its ability to raise additional capital. This capital is required to repay vendors, rehire personnel, and fund growth initiatives. Failure to secure sufficient funding could materially impact operations and future prospects.
- Suspension of Operations [high — operational]: Zapata Quantum temporarily suspended operations in late 2024 due to limited capital. While operations were reinstated in June 2025 after raising $3 million, the company's history of capital constraints poses an ongoing operational risk.
- Competition in Quantum Computing [medium — market]: The quantum computing market is rapidly evolving with significant investment from large technology companies and numerous startups. Zapata Quantum faces intense competition in developing and commercializing its quantum software platform.
- Dependence on Key Personnel [medium — operational]: Founded by Harvard researchers, the company's success may depend on its ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel in the specialized field of quantum computing. Loss of key talent could hinder innovation and development.
- Debt Restructuring [medium — financial]: In June 2025, Zapata initiated debt restructuring and raised $3 million through convertible notes and warrants. The terms and impact of this restructuring, along with the ongoing need for capital, present financial risks.
- Technology Adoption Rate [medium — market]: The widespread adoption of quantum computing technologies is still in its early stages and is subject to technological advancements, cost, and market readiness. The pace of adoption could impact Zapata's revenue generation potential.
- Intellectual Property Protection [low — regulatory]: With over 60 granted and pending patents, Zapata Quantum relies on its intellectual property. Protecting these patents from infringement and navigating the complex IP landscape in a nascent technology field is crucial.
- Hardware Agnosticism Challenges [low — operational]: While aiming for hardware agnosticism, developing and maintaining compatibility across diverse quantum hardware platforms presents ongoing technical challenges and could impact product development timelines.
Industry Context
The quantum computing industry is experiencing rapid growth, with an estimated global spend of $2 billion in 2024, projected to reach $450 billion to $850 billion by 2040. The market for hardware and software providers is estimated between $90 billion to $170 billion by 2040. While the overall market is expanding, the quantum software and services segment, estimated at $400 million in 2024, is a critical area for companies like Zapata Quantum to address the 'software bottleneck'.
Regulatory Implications
Zapata Quantum's reliance on intellectual property, with over 60 granted and pending patents, necessitates robust protection strategies. Navigating the evolving regulatory landscape for advanced technologies and ensuring compliance with any emerging standards in quantum computing will be crucial for long-term viability.
What Investors Should Do
- Monitor capital raising activities closely.
- Evaluate the progress of Orquestra and new product development (Quantum Graph, Quantum Pilot).
- Assess competitive landscape and market adoption rates.
- Review patent portfolio and IP protection strategy.
- Analyze the impact of the June 2025 debt restructuring and convertible note terms.
Key Dates
- 2025-06-01: Initiated debt restructuring and raised $3 million — Enabled reinstatement of operations and provided crucial capital for vendor payments and personnel rehiring.
- 2025-01-01: Strategic realignment and renewed focus on quantum software development — Marked a shift in company strategy after a temporary operational suspension, emphasizing core competencies in software.
- 2024-12-31: End of fiscal year — Represents the period for which financial statements are reported, highlighting the company's financial condition prior to operational reinstatement.
- 2024-03-28: Consummation of business combination — Legacy Zapata became a wholly owned subsidiary, restructuring the corporate entity.
- 2024-11-30: 162,580,506 shares of common stock outstanding — Provides a snapshot of the company's equity structure at a specific point in time.
- 2024-12-29: Aggregate market value of non-affiliate common equity reported — $6,696,894, indicating the market's valuation of the company's publicly traded shares.
Glossary
- Quantum Computing
- A type of computation that harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform calculations. (Zapata Quantum's core business revolves around developing software for this advanced computing paradigm.)
- Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing
- An approach that combines quantum processors with classical computers to solve complex problems, leveraging the strengths of both. (Zapata's patent portfolio includes this area, indicating a strategy to integrate quantum capabilities with existing computational infrastructure.)
- Hardware-Agnostic Software Platform
- Software designed to operate independently of specific hardware configurations, allowing flexibility and broader compatibility. (Zapata's Orquestra platform is built on this principle, aiming to address the 'software bottleneck' in quantum adoption.)
- Convertible Notes
- Debt instruments that can be converted into a predetermined amount of the issuer's equity at certain times. (Zapata raised $3 million through these notes in June 2025 to reinstate operations, indicating a financing strategy.)
- Warrants
- Financial instruments that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a company's stock at a specific price within a certain timeframe. (Issued alongside convertible notes, warrants are part of Zapata's capital-raising efforts to fund operations.)
- Software Bottleneck
- A limitation in the development or adoption of software that hinders the progress or utilization of a technology, in this case, quantum computing. (Zapata's software platform aims to overcome this challenge in the quantum computing industry.)
- Business Combination
- A transaction where companies merge or are acquired, often involving the combination of assets, liabilities, and equity. (Zapata underwent a business combination on March 28, 2024, where Legacy Zapata became a subsidiary.)
- Restructuring
- The process of reorganizing a company's finances, operations, or structure to improve efficiency or address financial difficulties. (Zapata initiated debt restructuring in June 2025 as part of its operational reinstatement.)
Year-Over-Year Comparison
Information comparing key metrics to the previous year is not available in the provided text. The filing focuses on the company's status and strategic direction as of 2025, following a significant restructuring and operational reinstatement in June 2025 after a temporary suspension in late 2024 due to capital limitations. New risks related to capital raising and operational continuity are highlighted.
Filing Stats: 4,180 words · 17 min read · ~14 pages · Grade level 17 · Accepted 2025-12-09 16:51:35
Key Financial Figures
- $0.0001 — (g) of the Act: Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share Indicate by check mark if th
- $3 million — otes and warrants for gross proceeds of $3 million. The Company has since been continuing
- $450 billion — s that quantum technologies will create $450 billion to $850 billion of economic value globa
- $850 billion — echnologies will create $450 billion to $850 billion of economic value globally, sustaining
- $90 billion — f economic value globally, sustaining a $90 billion to $170 billion market for hardware and
- $170 billion — e globally, sustaining a $90 billion to $170 billion market for hardware and software provid
- $2 b — computing technologies of approximately $2 billion, growing at 35% per year, includi
- $400 million — rowing at 35% per year, including about $400 million directed to software and services. Whi
Filing Documents
- zpat_10k-123124.htm (10-K) — 2048KB
- ex14x1.htm (EX-14.1) — 66KB
- ex19x1.htm (EX-19.1) — 84KB
- ex31x1.htm (EX-31.1) — 8KB
- ex31x2.htm (EX-31.2) — 8KB
- ex32x1.htm (EX-32.1) — 4KB
- image_001.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 24KB
- 0001079973-25-001836.txt ( ) — 10404KB
- zpat-20241231.xsd (EX-101.SCH) — 107KB
- zpat-20241231_cal.xml (EX-101.CAL) — 88KB
- zpat-20241231_def.xml (EX-101.DEF) — 437KB
- zpat-20241231_lab.xml (EX-101.LAB) — 593KB
- zpat-20241231_pre.xml (EX-101.PRE) — 559KB
- zpat_10k-123124_htm.xml (XML) — 1479KB
Business
Business 1 Item 1A
Risk Factors
Risk Factors 7 Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments 33 Item 1C Cybersecurity 34 Item 2
Properties
Properties 34 Item 3
Legal Proceedings
Legal Proceedings 34 Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures 34 PART II Item 5 Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 35 Item 6 [Reserved] 35 Item 7
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 36 Item 7A
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 53 Item 8
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data F-1 Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 54 Item 9A
Controls and Procedures
Controls and Procedures 54 Item 9B Other Information 55 Item 9C Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections 55 PART III Item 10 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 56 Item 11
Executive Compensation
Executive Compensation 60 Item 12
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 63 Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 64 Item 14 Principal Accounting Fees and Services 67 PART IV Item 15 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 68 Item 16 Form 10-K Summary 70 i Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, the terms the "Company" "Zapata," "Zapata Quantum," "we," "us," "our" and the "Company" refer to Zapata Quantum, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this report may be referred to without the and symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert their rights thereto. Unless otherwise noted, the description of our business and the discussion of related risk factors reflects Zapata Quantum's operations and strategic direction as of 2025. The Company underwent significant changes after December 31, 2024, including a restructuring, rebranding, and renewed focus on quantum computing application development. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This Report contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our expectations for prospective future growth, operating results and financial condition, potential future trends and developments within our industry and the U.S. and global economies generally, plans and expectations for our future business plan and capital raising efforts, expectations and plans with respect to our products and services including the potential market for, timing, features, and demand for such products and services, and liquidity and sources of capital. Forward-looking statements are prefaced by words such as "anticipate," "expect," "plan," "could," "may," "will," "should," "would," "intend," "seem," "potential," "appear," "continue," "future," believe," "estimate," "forecast," "project," and sim