Latest news with #RenenHallak
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AI storage platform Vast Data aimed for $25B valuation in new round, sources say
Vast Data, which offers an AI-friendly data storage platform, is in the market to raise a new round at a giant leap in valuation. Earlier this year, the nine-year-old company was seeking a valuation of around $25 billion, according to a person familiar with the deal. Should it achieve that, it would be a massive jump from its $9 billion Series E valuation secured in December 2023. The deal was not finalized and terms – including its valuation – could change, this person said, adding that the requested valuation was high at the time, despite impressive growth. Many VCs are interested in and watching Vast, other sources tell TechCrunch. Vast didn't respond to a request for comment. Vast Data offers data management software coupled with unified CPU, GPU and data hardware from vendors like Supermicro, HPE and Cisco. Whereas old-school data storage options rely on tiers: low-cost storage options for long-term storage, higher-end options for more frequently used data, Vast aims to eliminate such tiers. It is particularly aimed at flash-storage. AI has been a boon to Vast's business. The company's platform stores structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data in one place, which accelerates data retrieval and, it says, reduces the cost of model training and inference. The company's customers include large enterprises such as Pixar, ServiceNow, and Xai, as well as next-generation AI cloud providers like Coreweave and Lambda, which use Vast's technology to offer storage capabilities to their end-users. Vast had annual recurring revenue (ARR) of $200 million when it raised its Series E about 18 months ago, TechCrunch reported. The company has been growing at 2.5x to 3x year-over-year, Renen Hallak, Vast's CEO and co-founder, said on a podcast last May. The company has also been free cash flow positive for four years, Renen said. On data storage capabilities, Vast competes with a 16-year-old publicly traded Pure Storage that has a market capitalization of nearly $17 billion and a 12-year-old Weka, which last year raised a $140 million round at a $1.6 billion valuation. Vast is also developing a database architecture that is competitive with Databricks' offering. Prior to the round it is currently working on, the company has raised a total of $381 million from investors including Fidelity Management & Research Company, NEA, BOND Capital, and Drive Capital. This article originally appeared on TechCrunch at Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNBC
16 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
40. VAST Data
Founders: Renen Hallak (CEO), Jeff Denworth, Shachar Fienblit, Alon HorevLaunched: 2016Headquarters: New York CityFunding: $381 millionValuation: $9.1 billionKey Technologies: Artificial intelligence, deep neural networks/deep learning, explainable AI, generative AI, machine learningIndustry: Enterprise technologyPrevious appearances on Disruptor 50 list: 0 Software company VAST Data has an ambitious goal: It wants to redefine the data infrastructure stack for generative AI from the ground up. The company has rapidly become a disruptive force in enterprise storage and data computing, evolving from a startup with a flash storage concept into a full-fledged platform. In April, VAST Data platform was expanded to be fully integrated into Google Cloud, which allows customers to tap into its training, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), inference, and analytics capabilities, allowing users to better access, move, manage and protect structured and unstructured data. "This collaboration represents a leap forward for organizations pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI," VAST Data founder and CEO Renen Hallak said in a release. This is just one of a number of partnerships with major tech players. VAST released InsightEngine, a real-time AI retrieval application it developed with Nvidia. The app makes data instantly searchable and actionable for AI-driven applications and uses Nvidia's NIM microservices. "By unifying all elements of the AI retrieval pipeline into an enterprise data foundation, VAST Data InsightEngine with Nvidia is the industry's first solution to provide a universal view into all of an enterprise's structured and unstructured data to achieve advanced AI-enabled decision-making," VAST Data co-founder Jeff Denworth said in a release. VAST unites data management on its platform as an AI infrastructure enabler, which lets companies increase their data inputs and computation-intensive workloads. The company, which currently holds 50 patents, focuses on three types of businesses: high-performance computing including research institutions, AI cloud/model builders, and enterprise. Users include Cisco, Equinix, Supermicro and ServiceNow. It is also the data platform behind Elon Musk's xAI's Colossus cluster, the largest massive AI supercomputer in the world, located in Memphis, Tenn. Because its system can be used for the entire AI data lifecycle, it also opens it up to many competitors. Storage vendors like Pure Storage and Dell EMC offer similar services, in addition to data lakehouse and data fabric providers such as Snowflake and fellow Disruptor Databricks. Still, the company is bullish on the need for AI in the future. As of 2024, 78% of companies said they used AI in at least one functionality in their business, according to McKinsey. To further optimize growth, VAST has added Amy Shapero as its first CFO, who previously scaled Shopify's revenue from $700 million to $6 billion in just five years.
Channel Post MEA
6 days ago
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
VAST Data Expand Partnership With Cisco
VAST Data has announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with Cisco to deliver a fully integrated and validated AI infrastructure stack that spans compute, networking, storage, and observability. The VAST AI Operating System is now available directly through Cisco's Global Price List (GPL) and is fully supported by Cisco as part of the joint solution – simplifying how enterprises implement, operate, and scale modern AI environments by enabling customers to seamlessly procure and deploy VAST AI OS alongside Cisco UCS servers, Nexus switching, and Cisco Nexus Hyperfabric AI. Together, VAST and Cisco provide a turnkey platform for building enterprise AI Factories – agentic, data-intensive AI systems at scale – ensuring security, performance, and operational agility from edge to core to cloud. The joint solution stack enables customers to unify data pipelines, automate infrastructure management, and reason over real-time data using scalable, zero-trust AI infrastructure. VAST Founder and CEO, Renen Hallak, will join Cisco President and Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel on stage at Cisco Live's Executive Symposium, for a fireside chat discussing this strategic partnership. The conversation will highlight how the two companies are driving enterprise AI adoption and explore key trends shaping the future of AI-driven business. 'Cisco and VAST share a vision for making AI infrastructure accessible, secure, and scalable for every enterprise,' said Jeremy Foster, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cisco Compute. 'We're enabling customers to collapse complexity and unlock faster time-to-value by providing a unified infrastructure stack built for the demands of AI. The joint solution integrates key technologies across both platforms, including: A Consolidated AI Infrastructure Stack: A jointly validated, enterprise-grade platform that brings together Cisco's compute and networking leadership with the industry defining VAST AI Operating System – delivering a full-stack solution for AI infrastructure that's simple to deploy, easy to manage, and built to scale from day one. Integrated AI Execution with InsightEngine and AgentEngine: Customers can now run end-to-end AI pipelines – from retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to real-time reasoning – directly within VAST's AI OS on Cisco UCS. VAST InsightEngine accelerates vector search, data preparation, and inference workflows at the point of data, while AgentEngine takes this further by orchestrating autonomous agents that continuously operate on live data streams, enabling real-time, event-driven decision-making. These capabilities empower Cisco environments to become intelligent execution layers – turning raw data into continuous, actionable insight. Unified AI Data and Compute Services: A consolidated software stack via the VAST AI Operating System that simplifies infrastructure complexity by unifying structured, unstructured, and vector data management with agentic compute services – enabling real-time reasoning for next-gen AI applications and workflow automation at scale. Enterprise-Grade Performance and Scalability: High-performance compute with Cisco UCS and scalable, AI-optimized network fabrics via Cisco Nexus, validated to run seamlessly with VAST's Disaggregated Shared Everything (DASE) architecture – delivering predictable performance across even the largest AI deployments. Faster Time-to-Value with Turnkey Automation: SaaS-based orchestration and lifecycle management from Cisco Nexus Hyperfabric AI, combined with VAST's intelligent dataflows and global namespace, streamline infrastructure provisioning, monitoring, and scaling across the full AI pipeline. Built-In Security and Multi-Tenant Readiness: A zero-trust infrastructure model that combines VAST's native data governance and multi-tenant controls with Cisco's secure platform architecture—ensuring isolated, compliant environments for sensitive AI workloads across hybrid and on-prem deployments. A Consolidated AI Infrastructure Stack: A jointly validated, enterprise-grade platform that brings together Cisco's compute and networking leadership with the industry defining VAST AI Operating System – delivering a full-stack solution for AI infrastructure that's simple to deploy, easy to manage, and built to scale from day one. Integrated AI Execution with InsightEngine and AgentEngine: Customers can now run end-to-end AI pipelines – from retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to real-time reasoning – directly within VAST's AI OS on Cisco UCS. VAST InsightEngine accelerates vector search, data preparation, and inference workflows at the point of data, while AgentEngine takes this further by orchestrating autonomous agents that continuously operate on live data streams, enabling real-time, event-driven decision-making. These capabilities empower Cisco environments to become intelligent execution layers – turning raw data into continuous, actionable insight. Unified AI Data and Compute Services: A consolidated software stack via the VAST AI Operating System that simplifies infrastructure complexity by unifying structured, unstructured, and vector data management with agentic compute services – enabling real-time reasoning for next-gen AI applications and workflow automation at scale. Enterprise-Grade Performance and Scalability: High-performance compute with Cisco UCS and scalable, AI-optimized network fabrics via Cisco Nexus, validated to run seamlessly with VAST's Disaggregated Shared Everything (DASE) architecture – delivering predictable performance across even the largest AI deployments. Faster Time-to-Value with Turnkey Automation: SaaS-based orchestration and lifecycle management from Cisco Nexus Hyperfabric AI, combined with VAST's intelligent dataflows and global namespace, streamline infrastructure provisioning, monitoring, and scaling across the full AI pipeline. Built-In Security and Multi-Tenant Readiness: A zero-trust infrastructure model that combines VAST's native data governance and multi-tenant controls with Cisco's secure platform architecture—ensuring isolated, compliant environments for sensitive AI workloads across hybrid and on-prem deployments. The VAST + Cisco solution is purpose-built for generative and agentic AI workloads, enabling customers to power complex, data-driven applications with the performance, insight, and operational control needed to drive business transformation. 'This partnership represents the convergence of two best-in-class platforms to create a foundational blueprint for enterprise AI,' said Renen Hallak, Founder and CEO at VAST Data. 'By aligning the VAST AI OS with Cisco's UCS and Nexus infrastructure, we're delivering the turnkey simplicity, observability, and scalability that enterprises need to deploy and manage intelligent systems globally.
Al Bawaba
6 days ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
VAST Data and Cisco Expand Partnership to Deliver Turnkey, Scalable Infrastructure for Enterprise AI
VAST Data, the AI Operating System company, today announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) to deliver a fully integrated and validated AI infrastructure stack that spans compute, networking, storage, and observability. The VAST AI Operating System is now available directly through Cisco's Global Price List (GPL) and is fully supported by Cisco as part of the joint solution – simplifying how enterprises implement, operate, and scale modern AI environments by enabling customers to seamlessly procure and deploy VAST AI OS alongside Cisco UCS servers, Nexus switching, and Cisco Nexus Hyperfabric VAST and Cisco provide a turnkey platform for building enterprise AI Factories – agentic, data-intensive AI systems at scale – ensuring security, performance, and operational agility from edge to core to cloud. The joint solution stack enables customers to unify data pipelines, automate infrastructure management, and reason over real-time data using scalable, zero-trust AI Founder and CEO, Renen Hallak, will join Cisco President and Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel on stage at Cisco Live's Executive Symposium, for a fireside chat discussing this strategic partnership. The conversation will highlight how the two companies are driving enterprise AI adoption and explore key trends shaping the future of AI-driven business.'Cisco and VAST share a vision for making AI infrastructure accessible, secure, and scalable for every enterprise,' said Jeremy Foster, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cisco Compute. 'We're enabling customers to collapse complexity and unlock faster time-to-value by providing a unified infrastructure stack built for the demands of AI.'The joint solution integrates key technologies across both platforms, including:● A Consolidated AI Infrastructure Stack: A jointly validated, enterprise-grade platform that brings together Cisco's compute and networking leadership with the industry defining VAST AI Operating System – delivering a full-stack solution for AI infrastructure that's simple to deploy, easy to manage, and built to scale from day one.● Integrated AI Execution with InsightEngine and AgentEngine: Customers can now run end-to-end AI pipelines – from retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to real-time reasoning – directly within VAST's AI OS on Cisco UCS. VAST InsightEngine accelerates vector search, data preparation, and inference workflows at the point of data, while AgentEngine takes this further by orchestrating autonomous agents that continuously operate on live data streams, enabling real-time, event-driven decision-making. These capabilities empower Cisco environments to become intelligent execution layers – turning raw data into continuous, actionable insight.● Unified AI Data and Compute Services: A consolidated software stack via the VAST AI Operating System that simplifies infrastructure complexity by unifying structured, unstructured, and vector data management with agentic compute services – enabling real-time reasoning for next-gen AI applications and workflow automation at scale.● Enterprise-Grade Performance and Scalability: High-performance compute with Cisco UCS and scalable, AI-optimized network fabrics via Cisco Nexus, validated to run seamlessly with VAST's Disaggregated Shared Everything (DASE) architecture – delivering predictable performance across even the largest AI deployments.● Faster Time-to-Value with Turnkey Automation: SaaS-based orchestration and lifecycle management from Cisco Nexus Hyperfabric AI, combined with VAST's intelligent dataflows and global namespace, streamline infrastructure provisioning, monitoring, and scaling across the full AI pipeline.● Built-In Security and Multi-Tenant Readiness: A zero-trust infrastructure model that combines VAST's native data governance and multi-tenant controls with Cisco's secure platform architecture—ensuring isolated, compliant environments for sensitive AI workloads across hybrid and on-prem VAST + Cisco solution is purpose-built for generative and agentic AI workloads, enabling customers to power complex, data-driven applications with the performance, insight, and operational control needed to drive business transformation. 'This partnership represents the convergence of two best-in-class platforms to create a foundational blueprint for enterprise AI,' said Renen Hallak, Founder and CEO at VAST Data. 'By aligning the VAST AI OS with Cisco's UCS and Nexus infrastructure, we're delivering the turnkey simplicity, observability, and scalability that enterprises need to deploy and manage intelligent systems globally.'
Mid East Info
6 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
VAST Data and Cisco Expand Partnership to Deliver Turnkey, Scalable Infrastructure for Enterprise AI - Middle East Business News and Information
The VAST AI Operating System, now paired with Cisco UCS and Nexus platforms, and the Hyperfabric AI solution, delivers a unified, zero-trust infrastructure blueprint to accelerate enterprise-scale intelligent systems Dubai, United Arab Emirates – June, 2025 – VAST Data , the AI Operating System company, today announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) to deliver a fully integrated and validated AI infrastructure stack that spans compute, networking, storage, and observability. The VAST AI Operating System is now available directly through Cisco's Global Price List (GPL) and is fully supported by Cisco as part of the joint solution – simplifying how enterprises implement, operate, and scale modern AI environments by enabling customers to seamlessly procure and deploy VAST AI OS alongside Cisco UCS servers, Nexus switching, and Cisco Nexus Hyperfabric AI. Together, VAST and Cisco provide a turnkey platform for building enterprise AI Factories – agentic, data-intensive AI systems at scale – ensuring security, performance, and operational agility from edge to core to cloud. The joint solution stack enables customers to unify data pipelines, automate infrastructure management, and reason over real-time data using scalable, zero-trust AI infrastructure. VAST Founder and CEO, Renen Hallak, will join Cisco President and Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel on stage at Cisco Live's Executive Symposium , for a fireside chat discussing this strategic partnership. The conversation will highlight how the two companies are driving enterprise AI adoption and explore key trends shaping the future of AI-driven business. 'Cisco and VAST share a vision for making AI infrastructure accessible, secure, and scalable for every enterprise,' said Jeremy Foster, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cisco Compute. 'We're enabling customers to collapse complexity and unlock faster time-to-value by providing a unified infrastructure stack built for the demands of AI.' The joint solution integrates key technologies across both platforms, including: A Consolidated AI Infrastructure Stack: A jointly validated, enterprise-grade platform that brings together Cisco's compute and networking leadership with the industry defining VAST AI Operating System – delivering a full-stack solution for AI infrastructure that's simple to deploy, easy to manage, and built to scale from day one. Integrated AI Execution with InsightEngine and AgentEngine: Customers can now run end-to-end AI pipelines – from retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to real-time reasoning – directly within VAST's AI OS on Cisco UCS. VAST InsightEngine accelerates vector search, data preparation, and inference workflows at the point of data, while AgentEngine takes this further by orchestrating autonomous agents that continuously operate on live data streams, enabling real-time, event-driven decision-making. These capabilities empower Cisco environments to become intelligent execution layers – turning raw data into continuous, actionable insight. Unified AI Data and Compute Services: A consolidated software stack via the VAST AI Operating System that simplifies infrastructure complexity by unifying structured, unstructured, and vector data management with agentic compute services – enabling real-time reasoning for next-gen AI applications and workflow automation at scale. Enterprise-Grade Performance and Scalability: High-performance compute with Cisco UCS and scalable, AI-optimized network fabrics via Cisco Nexus, validated to run seamlessly with VAST's Disaggregated Shared Everything (DASE) architecture – delivering predictable performance across even the largest AI deployments. Faster Time-to-Value with Turnkey Automation: SaaS-based orchestration and lifecycle management from Cisco Nexus Hyperfabric AI, combined with VAST's intelligent dataflows and global namespace, streamline infrastructure provisioning, monitoring, and scaling across the full AI pipeline. Built-In Security and Multi-Tenant Readiness: A zero-trust infrastructure model that combines VAST's native data governance and multi-tenant controls with Cisco's secure platform architecture—ensuring isolated, compliant environments for sensitive AI workloads across hybrid and on-prem deployments. The VAST + Cisco solution is purpose-built for generative and agentic AI workloads, enabling customers to power complex, data-driven applications with the performance, insight, and operational control needed to drive business transformation. 'This partnership represents the convergence of two best-in-class platforms to create a foundational blueprint for enterprise AI,' said Renen Hallak, Founder and CEO at VAST Data. 'By aligning the VAST AI OS with Cisco's UCS and Nexus infrastructure, we're delivering the turnkey simplicity, observability, and scalability that enterprises need to deploy and manage intelligent systems globally.' About VAST Data: VAST Data is the AI Operating System company – powering the next generation of intelligent systems with a unified software infrastructure stack that was purpose-built to unlock the full potential of AI. The VAST AI OS consolidates foundational data and compute services and agentic execution into one scalable platform, enabling organizations to deploy and facilitate communication between AI agents, reason over real-time data, and automate complex workflows at global scale. Built on VAST's breakthrough DASE architecture – the world's first true parallel distributed system architecture that eliminates tradeoffs between performance, scale, simplicity, and resilience – VAST has transformed its modern infrastructure into a global fabric for reasoning AI.
