Nscale, a U.K.-based AI data center startup, has expanded its board of directors with the addition of Fidji Simo, previously the CEO of AGI deployment at OpenAI. Simo’s appointment precedes anticipated plans for a potential initial public offering (IPO) this fall. She joins existing board members including Sheryl Sandberg, Susan Decker, and Nick Clegg.
Prior to her role at OpenAI, Simo served as chair and CEO of Instacart, successfully leading the company through its 2023 IPO. Her extensive experience also includes over a decade at Meta, where she held the position of head of the Facebook app. She currently also serves on the board of Shopify.
Nscale’s founder and CEO, Josh Payne, stated that Simo’s understanding of scaling products used by billions of people is crucial to the company’s mission. The startup designs, builds, and operates AI data centers, responding to increased demand for AI infrastructure.
The company is reportedly seeking to raise up to $3.5 billion to support its operations and IPO preparations. Bloomberg reported this funding round last week, citing unnamed sources. Nscale’s valuation has increased significantly since its founding two years prior.
