Sign up to save tools and stay up to date with the latest in AI
bg
bg
1

Inside DDN's Strategic Leap With Nvidia in AI Infrastructure

Mar 26, 2025 - businessinsider.com
DataDirect Networks (DDN), a long-standing player in the supercomputing industry, has become a crucial provider of data storage solutions for AI data centers, riding the wave of the AI boom alongside Nvidia. The company, which has been collaborating with Nvidia for about eight years, offers software that enhances GPU performance by reducing latency. This partnership has significantly increased DDN's visibility and customer base, as it is now part of Nvidia's reference architecture for optimal GPU performance. Recently, DDN raised $300 million from Blackstone at a $5 billion valuation, aiming to leverage Blackstone's C-suite connections to further expand its reach.

DDN's President, Paul Bloch, emphasizes the company's rapid growth and adaptation to the fast-paced AI industry, noting that their technology is now essential for setting up GPU clouds. Despite receiving acquisition offers, Bloch and CEO Alex Bouzari remain committed to maintaining DDN's independence, viewing the company as their "life's work." As AI infrastructure becomes a critical investment for companies, DDN is poised for continued expansion, with Bloch predicting several more years of intense AI infrastructure development.

Key takeaways:

  • The AI boom is transforming decades-old computing companies like DDN, which now provides crucial data storage for AI data centers.
  • DDN has been working with Nvidia for about eight years and was recently mentioned by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang during his keynote address at the GTC AI Conference.
  • The company raised $300 million from Blackstone at a $5 billion valuation, despite being profitable and EBITDA positive.
  • DDN's technology is now essential for AI infrastructure, and the company is preparing for significant growth in the coming years.
View Full Article

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment!