NVIDIA-backed WEKA is focusing on AI data storage and infrastructure, aiming to help companies build modern AI-native data stacks. According to WEKA’s CFO Intekhab Nazeer, their strategy has consistently targeted addressing the data complexities introduced by growing AI usage since their inception in 2013.

WEKA recently raised $140 million in a Series E funding round, reaching a valuation of $1.6 billion. The founding round was led by Valor Equity Partners and included participation from NVIDIA and Qualcomm Ventures.

With AI software spending projected to soar—forecasted by Gartner to reach $297.9 billion by 2027—the startup sees an opportunity to support businesses in integrating AI technologies effectively. Despite the financial environment, AI remains a high priority for investment.

WEKA’s technology focuses on streamlining data pipelines to enhance data storage and management, helping companies transition to become AI-native. This involves enabling flexible workloads across different models and platforms.

By partnering with cloud giants like Amazon Web Services and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, WEKA plans to drive growth and aims for a $500 million annual recurring revenue target in the next 18 to 36 months. The early investment in AI positions WEKA ahead of many competitors, especially legacy data infrastructure providers.

Nazeer emphasizes that CFOs should leverage emerging tools imbued with AI to gain deeper, data-driven insights, aiding strategic decision-making. Additionally, adopting a multi-year approach and reviewing existing technology stacks can prevent being tied to outdated solutions, ensuring they remain current amidst rapid technological advancements.

Source: NVIDIA-backed WEKA zeros in on AI data storage, infrastructure .