Callosum & Plural Target NVIDIA’s AI Dominance with €9.5M Investment in ...

LONDON, February 26, 2026 — Cambridge-based deep tech startup Callosum has secured €9.5 million ($10.25 million) in new funding, positioning itself as a challenger to NVIDIA’s dominance in the AI hardware ecosystem. The funding round, led by European venture fund Plural with support from the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), aims to fuel Callosum’s mission of building sovereign AI infrastructure that leverages diverse chip architectures. Founded by Cambridge PhD graduates Danyal Akarca and Jascha Achterberg, Callosum is pioneering a novel systems-level software approach that could reshape how AI models operate across hardware platforms.

Executive Summary

• Callosum raised €9.5 million in a funding round led by Plural, with participation from ARIA and angel investors.
• The company aims to challenge NVIDIA’s 85% market share in the GPU space by enabling AI collaboration across diverse chip architectures.
• Callosum’s founders, Danyal Akarca and Jascha Achterberg, combine neuroscience expertise with computing innovation to deliver a brain-inspired approach to AI infrastructure.
• The new funds will expand Callosum’s London team, enhance its software stack, and secure compute resources.

Key Developments

Callosum has emerged as a key player in the AI infrastructure market with its groundbreaking approach to heterogeneous computing. The €9.5 million funding round, led by Plural and supported by ARIA, marks a significant milestone for the Cambridge-born startup. Angel investors such as Charlie Songhurst, Stan Boland, and John Lazar also contributed to the round, signaling strong confidence in the company’s vision.

Callosum’s unique value proposition lies in its systems-level software that orchestrates AI models across a variety of chip architectures, breaking the industry’s reliance on uniform GPU grids. This approach mimics the brain’s functionality, where specialized components work together to deliver intelligence. The company’s technology has already demonstrated significant performance improvements, achieving 2x accuracy, 7x speed, and 4x cost savings in real-world applications compared to traditional GPU setups.

Both co-founders, Akarca and Achterberg, have a strong academic pedigree with publications in leading journals like Nature and professional stints at Intel and Google DeepMind. Their work aims to redefine how AI infrastructure scales globally while addressing the limitations of current hardware-dominated ecosystems.

Market Context

NVIDIA has long dominated the AI hardware space, with its GPUs accounting for approximately 85% of the market. For more on [related biotech developments](/global-biotech-market-size-and-forecast-statistics-by-country-12-february-2026). This monopoly has driven up costs and created bottlenecks for companies seeking scalable AI solutions. While competitors like AMD and Intel have made strides, the industry has largely remained reliant on uniform GPU setups to train and deploy AI models.

Callosum’s entry into this space comes at a time when the need for diverse and cost-effective AI infrastructure is becoming increasingly urgent. With global cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure already integrating mixed-chip architectures, Callosum’s software is well-positioned to capitalize on this shift. Additionally, the UK government’s backing through ARIA signals a growing interest in developing sovereign AI capabilities to reduce dependence on foreign technology providers.

BUSINESS 2.0 Analysis

Callosum’s funding announcement is a clear signal that the AI infrastructure market is ripe for disruption. By addressing the inefficiencies of GPU-centric systems, the company is not only challenging NVIDIA’s dominance but also redefining the rules of the game. The startup’s approach, which treats compute resources as a dynamic ecosystem, has the potential to unlock new levels of efficiency and scalability for AI applications.

The involvement of high-profile backers like Plural and ARIA underscores the strategic importance of this innovation. Plural partner Ian Hogarth’s comments highlight the founders’ academic and professional credentials, which lend credibility to their ambitious vision. Furthermore, the economic implications of Callosum’s technology cannot be overstated. With 4x cost savings reported in initial tests, the company could make AI adoption more feasible for smaller enterprises, democratizing access to cutting-edge technology.

However, Callosum’s success will hinge on its ability to scale operations and integrate seamlessly with existing cloud ecosystems. The company’s partnerships with AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure are promising, but gaining traction in a market dominated by NVIDIA will require sustained innovation and strategic alliances.

Why This Matters for Industry Stakeholders

Callosum’s rise has far-reaching implications for various stakeholders:

• Enterprises: Cost savings and improved performance make AI adoption more accessible, particularly for mid-sized companies.
• Cloud Providers: The integration of Callosum’s software into multi-cloud environments could attract customers seeking hardware-agnostic solutions.
• Governments: Sovereign AI infrastructure aligns with national security and economic resilience objectives.
• Investors: The disruptive potential of Callosum’s technology makes it an attractive investment opportunity in the AI sector.

Forward Outlook

Looking ahead, Callosum is poised to play a pivotal role in reshaping the AI infrastructure landscape. The company’s brain-inspired approach to computing could set a new standard for how AI systems are built and scaled. However, challenges remain, including the need to compete with NVIDIA’s entrenched market presence and to prove the scalability of its software in large-scale deployments.

As the AI sector continues to evolve, the demand for cost-effective and flexible infrastructure solutions will only grow. Callosum’s innovative approach positions it well to capitalize on this trend, but the road ahead will require strategic partnerships, continuous innovation, and significant capital investment.

Key Takeaways

• Callosum raised €9.5 million to challenge NVIDIA’s dominance in the AI market.
• The company’s brain-inspired software enables collaboration across diverse chip architectures.
• Performance metrics show 2x accuracy, 7x speed, and 4x cost savings compared to GPU setups.
• ARIA’s support highlights the UK government’s commitment to sovereign AI infrastructure.
• Future success depends on scaling operations and competing with NVIDIA’s market share.

References

1. TechFundingNews
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3. More Startup News