Agnostiq Puts an Early Stake in the Ground, Paving the Road to Quantum Commercialization

The quantum computing market is still in its early stages, with tremendous potential for growth and development in the future. While key industry players are working to create more powerful and efficient quantum computers, we’re seeing parallel growth and interest in the potential applications of quantum computing. 

Major hardware and cloud providers are investing heavily in HPC systems to power the next generation of AI applications. AWS recently enabled larger scale cloud HPC workloads, while Microsoft recently announced its AI supercomputer on the cloud, and Nvidia announced its new specialized DGX Quantum system, a major step towards quantum-accelerated supercomputing. As more workloads require HPC, and as new computing modalities such as quantum become a major part of HPC, tools will be required to help enterprises unlock their full potential.

Agnostiq, the Toronto-based startup developing software tools that make quantum and high performance computing resources more accessible to enterprises/developers, falls into this disruptive category. The company was referred to MAG PR by its investors after securing a seed round—on a mission to put an early stake in the ground as a reputable industry leader and pave the road to quantum commercialization.

The Challenge:

Agnostiq’s primary marketing objectives included:

• Achieving brand recognition and credibility in its early stages as a new and unique industry player within the quantum computing space;

• Generating intentional top-of-funnel awareness for Covalent, their open-source workflow orchestration platform designed to help users manage and execute tasks on heterogeneous compute resources. 

The Solution and Results:

In 2021, MAG PR developed a strategic roadmap that first leveraged Agnostiq’s $2M seed round announcement to formally introduce the company to media, while establishing credibility and market validation. The first campaign was a measurable success, resulting in key placements via InsideHPC, EnterpriseAI, Quantum Daily, HPCwire, BetaKit, and more.

Since then, in alignment with Agnostiq’s marketing goals and heads-down product focus, MAG PR has continued to drive a news-driven program in perfect timing, executing on several release campaigns.

Notably, MAG PR led the release of an industry-related Benchmark Report and an AWS-related partnership announcement, both of which resulted in an explosion of coverage across all relevant, targeted trade & tech outlets including VentureBeat, TechRepublic, New Stack, and more.

Most recently in 2023, MAG PR steered Agnostiq’s seed extension funding announcement which resulted in blown-out features in SiliconANGLE, BetaKit, Quantum Computing Report, HPCwire, mentions in every notable funding newsletter [i.e. Axios, Fortune, WSJ, etc.], and more.

Having gained incredible traction over the last couple of years, Agnostiq is shaping the future of quantum and high-performance computing and contributing to one of the most transformative technologies of our time.

“Over the past few years MAG PR has been a natural extension of our team, helping us grow our brand and effectively communicate advanced technologies like quantum and high performance computing." -Elliot MacGowan, Co-Founder & COO, Agnostiq

Seek AI Gains Rapid Traction in Red-Hot Generative AI Space Using Strategic PR to Amplify Brand

For startups, it can be difficult competing in a market dominated by mature corporations or flooded with other novel solutions. When a robust customer funnel has not been established and product-led growth has yet to be achieved, visibility can mean the difference between success and failure for tech startups. A public relations strategy can help startups gain visibility – differentiating a market entrant and elevating their brand. Consider these statistics:

• 80% of business decision-makers would rather gather their information through articles, than through advertisements [Content Marketing Institute]

• PR is 90% more successful in influencing customers than advertising [Forbes]

As Seek AI learned, a solid PR strategy can be a breakthrough for a company exiting stealth mode and “seeking” to gain market traction.

The Challenge:

Seek AI was referred by a venture capital firm and onboarded MAG PR as its first agency-of-record to drive a powerful media relations program. Seek’s primary marketing objectives included:

• Introducing the brand as a new and unique industry player in the generative AI space, as they emerged from stealth via top-of-funnel awareness

• Elevating brand credibility and targeted exposure following their $7.5M seed round [TechCrunch was named a top priority]

The Solution and Results:

Following an accelerated onboarding, MAG PR developed a strategic roadmap reflecting a clear workback plan for Seek’s formal press launch, with the goal to introduce the brand as a new key player in the generative AI space emerging from stealth. On a mission to produce the “buzz” effect, MAG PR activated a media embargo strategy, engaging pre-distribution of the news with a VIP group of targeted press contacts to lock in stories ahead of the announcement. 

Our execution resulted in 99 total press mentions including 9 highly targeted features, with a total potential reach of 97M+. SiliconANGLE broke the news first, followed by Forbes, Datanami, InsideBIGDATA, and others worthy of recognition.

Just 90 days later, MAG PR achieved another round of positive results – this time planning and executing Seek’s $7.5 million seed funding announcement allowing ample time for editorial review under embargo terms. The campaign resulted in blown-out features in TechCrunch, Business Insider, and BuiltIn NYC, plus mentions in every relevant funding-related newsletter, like Fortune Term Sheet, Axios Pro Rata, WSJ VC Pro, and more. 

Our strategic PR efforts helped Seek AI gain rapid traction in the red-hot generative AI space, one of the most anticipated future spends among technology leaders. The company’s natural language interface enables business users to ask questions and receive faster answers, at the same time reducing the burden of repetitive coding for data teams.

“As an early-stage tech company emerging from stealth, we brought on MAG PR as a strategic partner to guide us through our launch and fundraising efforts—and we couldn't be happier with the measurable success of our program to date! MAG PR has both the media relationships and storytelling chops to help you stand out in a crowded market. Their boutique agency excels at landing impactful headlines and bylines in well known-known publications that bolster share of voice and top-of-funnel awareness. They helped us gain exposure for our product and boosted our brand's credibility. We highly recommend MAG PR for any early-stage company looking to put their stake in the ground as an industry leader." - Sarah Nagy, CEO & Co-Founder, Seek AI