Recently, the global technology industry's attention was captivated by an outstanding young enterprise featured in Forbes 2024 AI 50 List —Together AI. Founded in 2022, this startup has swiftly ascended the ranks through its innovative applications based on open-source large models, carving an extraordinary growth trajectory within a brief span. Despite its nascent existence, Together AI has undergone multiple rounds of funding, with its valuation soaring to new heights, backed by tech giant Nvidia's formidable capital and technological support.
Empowering AI Innovation through Cloud Acceleration
Together AI is renowned for providing access to Nvidia GPUs, offering cloud platforms for AI startups to train and deploy their models. With a strong foundation in underlying AI technologies due to its proprietary models and datasets, the company is currently focused on expanding its platform to help developers build or customize their open-source AI models.
CEO Vipul Ved Prakash has indicated that the recent influx of funds will be used to enhance computing power and recruit researchers to develop new model architectures. To date, Together AI boasts 45,000 registered users, making it the go-to choice for those looking to utilize open models or customize and deploy them in large-scale applications.
Securing Multiple Funding Rounds and Doubling Valuation to $1.25 Billion
Together AI’s product portfolio includes the open-source ChatGPT-like model RedPajama-INCITE, the extensive dataset RedPajama-Data-v2, and the computational accelerator FlashAttention v2. These innovations not only lower the barrier to AI research and development but also inject unprecedented vitality and creativity into the industry.
Since raising $20 million in its seed round last May, the company has secured over $228.5 million through multiple rounds of funding within a year. In the latest funding round, led by Salesforce Ventures, the company raised $106 million, doubling its valuation to $1.25 billion. This surge in valuation reflects investor confidence in Together AI’s prospects and underscores the competitive landscape of generative AI, where investors are eager to back promising startups.
Disrupting Centralization in the AI Landscape
The intensifying tech race in AI, increasingly dominated by heavyweight corporations, hints at a future where AI power becomes centralized around behemoths like Microsoft and Google on one hand, and new players such as OpenAI on the other. However, this concentration is antithetical to the healthy evolution of AI. Enter Together AI, challenging this status quo with a decentralized, inclusive AI ecosystem.
By establishing efficient computing platforms that enable enterprises to conduct model training and inference at low cost and high speed, Together AI fosters customization and unlocks third-party innovation potential. Its notable contributions to the open-source domain, including public datasets, comprehensive technology stacks, and exemplary open-source models, are dismantling monopolistic barriers, fostering knowledge sharing, and disseminating technological innovation broadly.
Looking ahead, Together AI's ambitions transcend mere technical superiority. It aims to bolster cloud capabilities, paving a more affordable and efficient growth path for AI entrepreneurs and developers. Strengthening partnerships with industry players such as Crusoe Cloud and Vultr, Together AI is coalescing efforts to create a thriving AI ecosystem.
In an era where AI is ubiquitous, Together AI is spearheading a revolution from Silicon Valley to the world, driven by its commitment to open sharing, cutting-edge technological prowess, and boundless vision for the future.
