Helsinki-based cloud infrastructure provider DataCrunch has secured €13 million in seed funding to expand its specialised computing services across Europe. The investment round was led by byFounders, with participation from J12 Ventures, Local Tapiola, Nordea, and several technology sector investors, positioning the company to develop its cloud infrastructure optimised explicitly for artificial intelligence workloads.

DataCrunch, established in 2020 by Ruben Bryon, has developed a cloud computing platform that addresses the distinct challenges of running complex AI operations at scale. The company’s infrastructure-as-a-service offering provides accessible, high-performance computing resources through strategically located data centres in Finland and Iceland, leveraging these regions’ renewable energy sources and natural cooling capabilities.

The new funding will support DataCrunch’s cloud infrastructure expansion, including deploying advanced NVIDIA H200 servers and GB200 NVL72 clusters. This technical enhancement meets the growing demand for specialised cloud computing resources required by modern AI applications and research initiatives across European markets.

“With this new round of funding, we are scaling our infrastructure to meet growing demand and firmly positioning ourselves as Europe’s leading provider of AI infrastructure,” said Ruben Bryon, Founder and CEO of DataCrunch.

Sustainable computing at scale

DataCrunch’s choice of Finland and Iceland for its operations is no coincidence. These locations offer distinct advantages for AI computing infrastructure:

• Access to abundant renewable energy sources,
• Natural cooling capabilities that reduce operational costs,
• Stable power grids with competitive energy pricing,
• Strategic geographic positioning for serving European markets.

The company’s focus on renewable energy-powered facilities addresses growing concerns about AI’s environmental impact, offering a more sustainable approach to high-performance computing.

Market opportunity and European context

The timing of DataCrunch’s expansion is particularly relevant given Europe’s growing demand for AI computing resources. As organisations across the continent accelerate their AI initiatives, the need for reliable, scalable, and compliant computing infrastructure becomes critical. DataCrunch’s positioning as Europe’s first AI-focused hyperscaler could fill a significant gap in the market, currently dominated by non-European providers.

“At DataCrunch, we have a clearer vision than our competitors for providing computing services with the smallest possible carbon footprint. We already operate on 100% green energy and benefit from our location in Europe, which is at the forefront of the green transition. Our Nordic roots allow us to take advantage of some of the world’s lowest electrical energy and cooling costs, enabling us to offer the most competitive prices.” Bryon added.

The investment in DataCrunch reflects a broader trend of building European technological sovereignty in critical digital infrastructure. As AI workloads become more demanding and specialised, the need for dedicated computing resources optimised for AI tasks continues to grow. DataCrunch’s focus on this niche, its sustainable approach, and its strategic location position it to play a crucial role in Europe’s AI computing landscape.

Tags: AI, Europe