Edited and fact-checked
Modular, a leading provider of AI infrastructure solutions, has successfully raised $100 million in its latest funding round, spearheaded by General Catalyst. This round also saw contributions from existing investors such as GV (Google Ventures), SV Angel, Greylock, and Factory. With this significant investment, Modular intends to expand its AI infrastructure platform further and support developers in their AI-driven endeavors.
Modular’s AI infrastructure stack is renowned for its seamless integration into clients’ existing setups with minimal migration costs. The platform offers native support for multiple clouds, hardware accelerators, and AI frameworks, allowing developers to leverage a diverse range of tools and technologies. By defragmenting the AI technology stack, Modular aims to empower developers to create new products more efficiently while enhancing the accessibility of AI technology as a whole.
Co-founded by industry veterans Chris Lattner (CEO) and Tim Davis (President), Modular boasts a team with extensive expertise in shaping the compilation landscape and driving AI advancements. Lattner, known for his contributions at Apple, Google, SiFive, and Tesla, has played a pivotal role in developing AI and core systems. Davis, on the other hand, has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of key AI infrastructure segments at Google Brain.
One of Modular’s recent innovations is the Modular Inference Engine, a high-speed and unified AI engine designed to streamline AI deployment. Currently compatible with popular AI frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch, the engine has been optimized for CPUs, with GPU support slated for release in the upcoming fall season. This development will undoubtedly enhance performance and accelerate AI processing capabilities.
Additionally, Modular has introduced Mojo, an exclusive programming language tailored specifically for AI developers. In its developmental phase, Mojo brings together the user-friendliness of Python with the superior performance of C, offering a speed advantage of up to 35,000 times over Python alone. Modular plans to make Mojo available for desktop use, accompanied by a comprehensive developer toolkit, fostering innovation and collaboration within the Mojo developer community.
The Mojo SDK is currently available for early adopters, with a general release scheduled for early September. By providing powerful infrastructure solutions and cutting-edge programming tools, Modular is empowering developers to unlock the full potential of AI technology and drive advancements across various industries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Modular?
Modular is a leading provider of AI infrastructure solutions, offering a platform that seamlessly integrates into clients’ setups to support AI development and deployment.
Who led Modular’s recent funding round?
General Catalyst led the latest funding round for Modular, with participation from investors such as GV (Google Ventures), SV Angel, Greylock, and Factory.
What is the Modular Inference Engine?
The Modular Inference Engine is a high-speed and unified AI engine that simplifies AI deployment. It is compatible with popular AI frameworks and optimized for CPUs, with GPU support coming soon.
What is Mojo?
Mojo is an exclusive programming language developed by Modular for AI developers. It combines the ease of use of Python with the performance of C, offering significant speed advantages.
When will Mojo be available?
Mojo is currently in its developmental phase, with a general release planned for early September. A preview of the Mojo SDK is available for early adopters.