Nscale, a prominent AI data center startup based in the U.K., has appointed Fidji Simo, a former executive from OpenAI, Meta, and Instacart, to join its board of directors.
Simo’s addition to the board comes alongside other notable tech figures including Sheryl Sandberg, Susan Decker, and Nick Clegg, as the startup prepares for its expected initial public offering (IPO) later this fall.
Previously serving as the CEO of AGI Deployment at OpenAI, Simo was essentially the second-in-command at the organization until her departure in July, which she attributed to health issues. Despite stepping down, she continues to provide part-time advisory support to OpenAI. Before her tenure there, she was the Chair and CEO of Instacart, steering the company through its successful IPO in 2023. Simo also has over a decade of experience at Meta, where she was responsible for leading the Facebook app, and she currently holds a position on Shopify’s board.
Josh Payne, the founder and CEO of Nscale, commented that Simo is among the few leaders who truly comprehend the complexities involved in scaling products that serve billions of users and the pressures such products place on underlying infrastructure.
“This is exactly what we aim to achieve at Nscale,” he stated. “Fidji enhances a board crafted with individuals who possess the experience relevant to scaling some of the largest platforms globally, along with the independence, financial acumen, and operational know-how necessary for companies at this scale.”
Since its inception just two years ago, Nscale’s valuation has surged, fueled by a rising demand for AI infrastructure. The company, which specializes in the design, construction, and operation of AI data centers, is reportedly seeking to raise up to $3.5 billion in advance of its planned IPO, according to unnamed insider sources.
