SurrealDB

About SurrealDB

SurrealDB is a London-based technology company developing a cloud-native, multi-model database designed to simplify backend architecture for developers. The company was founded in 2021 by brothers Tobie Morgan Hitchcock (CEO) and Jaime Morgan Hitchcock (COO). The idea originated from their own experiences managing multiple, disparate database systems—including time-series, document, graph, and relational databases—for a previous business venture in golf analytics. This complex and labor-intensive process inspired Tobie, a software engineer with extensive experience in distributed databases, to build a unified platform.

SurrealDB aims to consolidate various database functionalities into a single platform, reducing complexity and development time. The platform combines document, graph, relational, and time-series models, allowing developers to adapt to different data requirements without managing multiple systems. It is built entirely on the programming language Rust, known for performance, security, and concurrency. Key features include a SQL-style query language (SurrealQL), real-time data synchronization, advanced security with row-level permissions, and support for AI and machine learning workflows. The platform is designed to be deployed anywhere, from edge devices to multi-node clusters, and can function as both a database and a real-time API backend, potentially eliminating the need for a separate API layer.

The company operates on a model that includes an open-source database and a fully managed cloud version, SurrealDB Cloud, which is currently in beta. This dual offering targets a wide range of clients, from individual developers to large enterprises, enabling them to build scalable, real-time applications more efficiently. SurrealDB has gained significant traction in the open-source community, evidenced by over 25,000 stars on GitHub. The company has secured $26 million in total funding, with a recent $20 million Series A round led by FirstMark and Georgian, to accelerate its growth and meet increasing demand.