Applied Digital is leading a $25 million Series A funding round for Corintis, a Swiss innovator in advanced chip-cooling solutions. This strategic investment highlights the critical need for liquid cooling in ultra-high-density GPU systems powering artificial intelligence. The partnership aims to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of digital infrastructure as AI demands continue to escalate.
A Strategic Push into Advanced Infrastructure
The investment brings Corintis's total funding to $58 million and solidifies Applied Digital's influence across the data center ecosystem. As an operator of high-performance data centers, Applied Digital is strategically positioning itself at the forefront of technological innovation. This move is part of a broader strategy to invest in technologies that will define the future of AI-optimized infrastructure.
Wes Cummins, CEO of Applied Digital, emphasized the investment's role in accelerating the company's leadership position. He stated that strategic investments in technologies like Corintis's cooling solutions are crucial for setting the industry's pace. This ensures Applied Digital remains a leader in delivering scalable and efficient solutions for critical data center systems.
Revolutionizing Chip Cooling with Microfluidics
Corintis specializes in direct-to-chip liquid cooling that utilizes sophisticated microfluidic technology. Its unique generative design platform allows for cooling solutions to be precisely tailored at the chip level. This technology can be implemented as a cost-effective drop-in replacement for standard liquid cooling or be integrated directly inside a GPU.
The company's innovative approach, previously validated by Microsoft, achieves up to three times lower temperatures compared to standard cold plates. This results in higher power densities, improved energy efficiency, and a reduced environmental footprint. These advancements are essential as AI workloads push the boundaries of traditional data center thermal management.
Executive Vision for a Cooler Future
Remco van Erp, CEO of Corintis, highlighted the critical role of advanced cooling in unlocking the next wave of high-performance computing. He noted that optimizing AI infrastructure requires a holistic approach, from the silicon to the facility. Corintis's technology is designed to meet these thermal challenges while supporting sustainability goals by reducing fresh water consumption.
The partnership is seen as a bridge between the domains of chip design and large-scale data center operations. Van Erp expressed that collaborating with Applied Digital will accelerate the adoption of their microfluidic cooling technology at scale. This synergy is expected to drive meaningful progress in how high-density data centers operate efficiently and sustainably.
Fueling Global Expansion and Customer Rollouts
With the new capital, Corintis plans to significantly expand its operational footprint and accelerate market penetration. The funds are earmarked for growing its U.S. presence with a new office in Washington and ramping up global manufacturing. This expansion is crucial for meeting demand from multiple new tech giants that have recently signed on as customers.
This investment builds on a period of significant growth for Applied Digital, which recently secured major agreements. These include a 400 MW lease with CoreWeave and a long-term lease with a U.S.-based hyperscaler. Combined with a $5 billion partnership with Macquarie Asset Management, these milestones underscore the company's sustained growth and leadership.
The collaboration between Applied Digital and Corintis marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of data center technology. It signifies a proactive industry response to the immense thermal challenges posed by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. By integrating cutting-edge microfluidic cooling into the infrastructure strategy, this partnership paves the way for more powerful and sustainable computing environments.