The Rise of Accessible AI: SambaNova Secures $676 Million Funding

Artificial intelligence presents significant opportunities for businesses, offering enhanced data processing, innovative services, and a pathway to future growth. However, many companies lacking a core technological foundation face substantial challenges in implementing and utilizing AI effectively.

Bridging the AI Gap with New Investment

SambaNova, a startup specializing in AI hardware and integrated systems, has announced a substantial funding round aimed at simplifying AI adoption for enterprises. The company, which emerged from stealth mode last December, has secured $676 million in Series D financing.

This investment values SambaNova at $5.1 billion, as confirmed by co-founder and CEO Rodrigo Liang. The round was led by SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2, with participation from Temasek, the Government of Singapore Investment Corp. (GIC), and existing investors including BlackRock, Intel Capital, GV, Walden International, and WRVI.

A Foundation Built on Innovation

Founded in 2017 by Stanford professors Kunle Olukotun and Chris Ré, alongside engineering executive Rodrigo Liang, SambaNova has raised over $1 billion to date. These funds have been allocated to developing its AI-focused hardware, known as DataScale, and the accompanying software ecosystem.

The company’s name, Liang explained, reflects his Brazilian heritage and the dynamic nature of AI data processing – a process often too complex and resource-intensive for traditional systems.

Competing in a Growing AI Landscape

SambaNova operates in a competitive market alongside companies like Nvidia, Cerebras Systems, and Graphcore. However, it distinguishes itself through a unique approach to delivering AI solutions.

Dataflow-as-a-Service: AI on Demand

In December, SambaNova launched Dataflow-as-a-Service, a subscription-based offering that provides enterprises with access to its AI system without the burden of system maintenance. This latest funding will primarily support the sales and delivery of this service.

Liang believes SambaNova’s strength lies in providing software-based AI systems to businesses eager to embrace AI but lacking the necessary expertise and resources for extensive system management.

Addressing the Market Need for Simplified AI

“The market demonstrates significant interest in AI, with companies recognizing the need to adapt and compete,” Liang stated. “However, many are hesitant to invest in the infrastructure and talent required to become technology companies themselves.”

SambaNova’s subscription model allows businesses to integrate AI technology quickly and efficiently, without the complexities of building and maintaining their own systems. This reduces the need for large teams dedicated to system upkeep and code updates.

Real-World Applications of SambaNova’s Technology

While SambaNova has been relatively discreet about its customer base, it has highlighted use cases in imaging for healthcare, utilizing its technology to train systems on high-resolution imagery.

The Corona supercomputer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is leveraging SambaNova’s technology for COVID-19 therapeutic and antiviral compound research, as noted by VP of Product Marshall Choy.

Additional applications include building custom language models for industries like finance and enhancing recommendation algorithms used in digital services.

Potential for Strategic Partnerships

Liang did not comment specifically on partnerships with Google and Intel, but he did not dismiss the possibility. Collaboration could allow these companies to extend the reach of their AI cores to a wider range of enterprises.

SambaNova’s DataScale and Dataflow-as-a-Service are compatible with popular AI frameworks like PyTorch and TensorFlow, facilitating integration with existing systems.

A Vision for Accessible AI

“We are comfortable collaborating with others in this space,” Liang said. “We believe the market will expand and become more specialized, and we aim to tackle the most challenging problems in a simpler way for our clients. This is a highly valuable proposition.”

The pursuit of accessible AI for businesses has proven elusive for many, making SambaNova’s progress particularly appealing to investors.

“SambaNova has developed a leading systems architecture that is flexible, efficient, and scalable,” said Deep Nishar, senior managing partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers. “Their holistic software and hardware solution simplifies AI adoption for customers. We are excited to support their mission of delivering advanced AI solutions globally.”