January 8

Databricks raises $10 billion in landmark funding round

US-based software company and Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) research partner, Databricks, has raised $10 billion in one of the largest private funding rounds to date. With a valuation of $62 billion, Databricks cements its position as a leader in data and AI technology.

Databricks, a leading software company specializing in data storage, management, and analysis, has strong ties to Amsterdam, where it operates its largest R&D hub outside the United States. With approximately 280 employees, the Amsterdam office traces its roots to Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI). Early in its history, Databricks recruited developers from Amsterdam, including some from the CWI spin-off Vectorwise. This foundation has grown into a major hub for the company’s research and development.

CWI and Databricks have collaborated on several research initiatives over the years. As Databricks notes: "We have built close partnerships with local universities and research centers, helping translate cutting-edge research into product. For example, Databricks partners with Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), one of the world leaders in distributed systems and database research."

Vergelijkbaar >

Similar news items

>View all news items >

23 March 2025

Why GPT Can’t Think Like Us >

Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially large language models like GPT-4, has made remarkable strides in reasoning tasks. However, a new study highlights the limitations in AI’s ability to truly understand abstract concepts, suggesting that it’s more about mimicking patterns than genuine comprehension.

Call for Participants: Help Test a New AI Powered Recommendation System for NEMO Kennislink! >

NEMO Kennislink, in collaboration with researchers from UvA, HvA, and CWI, is testing a new AI-powered recommendation system in the AI Media & Democracy Lab. We’re looking for enthusiastic participants to read NEMO Kennislink articles on their smartphone via a special test app for two months.

Lemni secures €3.3M pre-seed funding for AI-driven customer interactions >

Amsterdam-based AI startup Lemni has officially launched, securing €3.3 million in pre-seed funding led by Sequoia Capital. The investment will help Lemni accelerate product development, expand its team, and scale its AI-driven customer interaction platform globally.