After Paying USD700M, Nvidia to Open-Source Run:ai

Nvidia has completed the acquisition of Run:ai, an Israeli software startup it acquired for a reported USD700 million. A close partner of Nvidia since 2020, Run:ai makes it easier for customers to orchestrate GPU clouds for AI in order to get the most out of their extremely expensive hardware.

Nvidia did not comment on the deal’s value, though Israeli newspaper Calcalist had pegged it at USD700 million in April last year.

While neither company explained why Run:ai will open-source its platform, the reason is likely to appease antitrust regulators. Moreover, open sourcing its software can only accelerate the adoption of Run.ai, which can only benefit Nvidia as the top maker of AI chips in the world.

This was echoed by Run:ai founders Omri Geller and Ronen Dar in a blog post just before the new year.

“While Run:ai currently supports only Nvidia GPUs, open-sourcing the software will enable it to extend its availability to the entire AI ecosystem,” said Geller and Dar as they cited plans to open source the Run:ai software.

“True to our open-platform philosophy, as part of Nvidia, we will keep empowering AI teams with the freedom to choose the tools, platforms, and frameworks that best suit their needs. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships and work alongside the ecosystem to deliver a wide variety of AI solutions and platform choices.”

Geller and Dar noted that they are eager to build on their work, expand their team, and grow the product and market reach of Run:ai. They also promised to help customers get the most from their AI infrastructure, whether on-premises, in the cloud through native solutions, or on the Nvidia DGX Cloud.

“AI and accelerated computing are transforming the world at an unprecedented pace, and we believe this is just the beginning. GPUs and AI infrastructure will remain at the forefront of driving these transformative innovations and joining NVIDIA provides us an extraordinary opportunity to carry forward a joint mission of helping humanity solve the world’s greatest challenges,” they wrote.

Image credit: Run:ai

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