The landscape of generative AI is rapidly evolving, driven by unprecedented investments that seek to expedite the development of innovative technologies. One such notable player is Together, a rising startup specializing in open source generative AI and infrastructure for AI model development. Recently, Together announced a staggering $102.5 million in Series A funding led by Kleiner Perkins, with notable participation from Nvidia and Emergence Capital. This significant investment marks a pivotal moment for the company and the broader generative AI ecosystem.

The Vision Behind Together

Founded in June 2022 by industry leaders Vipul Ved Prakash, Ce Zhang, Chris Re, and Percy Liang, Together is on a mission to democratize AI through open source models and services. Prakash, previously the head of Topsy, a social media search platform acquired by Apple, offers a unique perspective on the importance of building generative AI strategies that are not tethered to specific vendors. In his words, “Open source AI provides a strong foundation for these applications, with increasingly powerful generative models being released almost weekly.”

Creating a Choice-Driven Ecosystem

As the generative AI revolution unfolds, the need for a diverse ecosystem that comprises both proprietary and open models is more pressing than ever. Together aims to cater to both startups and enterprises, allowing them to build solutions free from vendor lock-in. By providing a robust cloud platform that enables the training and fine-tuning of custom AI models, Together empowers organizations to harness the full potential of generative AI.

Cost-Effective Scalable Compute

One of Together’s key advantages is its emphasis on cost reduction for intensive computational tasks. By deploying thousands of GPUs across secure facilities in the U.S. and EU and optimizing its software for virtualization and scheduling, Together offers a competitive edge against tech giants like Google Cloud, AWS, and Azure. This strategy not only allows for superior performance but also significant savings for customers concerned about rising cloud costs.

• 20 exaflops of compute power
• Clusters ranging from 16 to 2,048 GPUs
• Partnerships with Crusoe Cloud and Vultr

Fueling Innovation with Open Source Research

In addition to its cloud platform, Together is committed to advancing open source AI research. Their project, RedPajama, exemplifies their dedication to fostering an open generative AI ecosystem. The release of fine-tuned models such as Meta’s Llama 2 and OpenChatKit further showcases Together’s ability to provide tools that stand alongside commercial offerings like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

The Generative AI Investment Landscape

The enthusiasm for generative AI solutions is echoed in investment trends. According to research from IDC, investments in this space are projected to soar from $16 billion in 2023 to an astonishing $143 billion by 2027. This influx of capital underscores the urgency and potential of generative AI technologies, with early-stage companies capturing about 40% of all venture funding in the first half of 2023. However, the road is not without its challenges, as seen in the struggles of previously favored companies like Stability AI, prompting investors to critically evaluate their portfolios.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Together and Generative AI

Together’s $102.5 million funding is not just a milestone for the company; it represents a significant leap forward for the generative AI community. As they expand their platform and invest in research, their commitment to openness and innovation is set to empower organizations worldwide in their AI journey. The next few years will be crucial in determining how these technologies evolve and how companies adapt to a landscape filled with choices and opportunities.

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At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.