RadixArk, a startup born from the transition of the popular open-source tool SGLang, has secured a valuation of approximately $400 million. Originally a project at Ion Stoica’s UC Berkeley lab, SGLang has gained attention for its role in accelerating AI model training for companies like xAI and Cursor.
RadixArk, previously known as SGLang, was founded in 2023 within Ion Stoica’s lab. The startup’s valuation surged after securing funding led by Accel, although the exact funding amount remains unconfirmed. Notable investors in RadixArk include Intel’s CEO Lip-Bu Tan.
Ying Sheng, a key figure in SGLang and former xAI engineer, transitioned to become RadixArk’s co-founder and CEO. The startup specializes in optimizing inference processing, a crucial aspect of AI model operations that significantly impacts server costs. By enhancing the efficiency of inference, RadixArk aims to deliver substantial savings in AI service operations.
Similarly, vLLM, another project focusing on inference optimization, has also shifted from open-source to commercial status. Reports suggest vLLM is in talks to raise substantial funding, highlighting the growing interest and investments in technologies that enhance AI model operations.
Source: TechCrunch