Netris raises $15M Series A from a16z to help AI neoclouds go live faster

The surge in artificial intelligence has led to a flurry of new data center ventures, but establishing a fully operational data center is no small feat. Beyond acquiring essential hardware like GPUs and network switches, companies face the challenge of configuration and meeting diverse client requirements. The lengthy setup process can delay the launch of cloud computing services, resulting in costly idle resources. Netris, a startup specializing in network automation, claims to simplify this process for neoclouds. Their innovative software operates on network switches and offers a platform that streamlines setup, configuration, and operational tasks, significantly reducing the time to market. This solution not only automates network processes but also allows for hardware flexibility and isolates resources effectively for multi-tenant environments. Traditionally, data centers have been dominated by major players such as Equinix, NTT, and Google, who have the resources to manage complex networking challenges. In contrast, smaller neocloud businesses often lack the necessary engineering expertise. Netris’ CEO, Alex Saroyan, highlighted the limitations of conventional software-defined networking (SDN) for AI applications, emphasizing the need for hardware-accelerated solutions. Netris' platform is designed to be vendor-agnostic, ensuring compatibility with various networking standards used in data centers, including those supporting Nvidia and AMD hardware. The company's technology has already gained traction, being deployed in over 35 GPU clusters worldwide, amounting to around a million GPUs, and serving prominent clients like Lightning AI, Foxconn, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. In a significant move, Netris has raised $15 million in a Series A funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz. This investment will allow the company to expand its team, enhance support for additional hardware vendors, and improve its operational algorithms. Interestingly, Saroyan pointed out that AI is not central to their approach; rather, their focus is on creating reliable and repeatable automation processes that address the unique needs of GPU cluster operators. With the backing of a16z partner Guido Appenzeller joining Netris’ board, the company is poised to further solidify its position in the cloud infrastructure market and continue its mission to make data center operations more efficient.