Nscale, a U.K.-based AI data center startup, has appointed Fidji Simo, a former OpenAI executive, to its board as it prepares for a potential IPO this fall. Simo, who previously held the No. 2 role at OpenAI, joins the board alongside high-profile tech leaders like Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg.
Simo left OpenAI in July citing health reasons but continues to advise the company part-time. She previously led Instacart through its 2023 IPO and spent over a decade at Meta, including as head of the Facebook app.
Nscale’s founder and CEO, Josh Payne, said Simo’s experience in scaling products for billions of users aligns with the company’s mission. "That’s what we’re building for at Nscale," he said.
"Fidji joins a board we’ve built deliberately, with the experience of scaling platforms to the largest in the world, and the independence, financial rigor and operating depth to which companies at this scale are held."
The startup’s valuation has surged since its founding two years ago, driven by rising demand for AI infrastructure. Nscale is reportedly seeking up to $3.5 billion in funding ahead of its IPO, according to Bloomberg.
Simo also serves on Shopify’s board and brings a wealth of experience in leading high-growth companies. Her appointment is seen as a strategic move to bolster Nscale’s credibility ahead of its public market debut.
Nscale did not specify the exact terms of Simo’s role or the IPO timeline, and the company remains focused on expanding its AI data center operations. The move underscores the growing importance of experienced leadership in the AI infrastructure space.
Source: techcrunch
