Nscale, a fast-growing UK startup focused on AI data center infrastructure, has recruited Fidji Simo to its board as it prepares for a potential IPO this fall. Simo, formerly the number two executive at OpenAI overseeing AGI deployment, left the AI lab in July due to health reasons but continues to advise the company part-time. Her resume also includes leading Instacart as CEO through its 2023 IPO and a lengthy tenure at Meta, including heading the Facebook app, making her a seasoned figure in scaling technology platforms.

The company’s board already features notable tech leaders such as Sheryl Sandberg, Susan Decker, and Nick Clegg. Nscale’s CEO, Josh Payne, highlighted that Simo brings critical expertise in managing products with billions of users and the complex infrastructure demands behind them. He emphasized that her knowledge aligns with Nscale’s mission to build systems capable of supporting massive-scale artificial intelligence workloads.

Founded only two years ago, Nscale’s valuation has soared amid the rapidly increasing need for AI infrastructure. The startup designs, builds, and operates data centers dedicated to AI compute, and is reportedly seeking to raise as much as $3.5 billion in funding ahead of its anticipated IPO. This financing round signals strong investor confidence in Nscale’s ability to capitalize on the booming AI market.

Adding Simo to the board strengthens Nscale’s governance and operational depth as it navigates the transition to becoming a publicly traded company. Her combination of product scaling experience and familiarity with AI ecosystems is expected to provide valuable strategic guidance during this pivotal growth phase. The move positions Nscale well to compete and expand in a sector driven by exponential AI demand.