Nscale adds former OpenAI exec Fidji Simo to its board ahead of potential IPO

Nscale, a UK-based AI data center startup, has appointed Fidji Simo, former OpenAI executive, to its board ahead of its anticipated IPO this fall. Simo joins a high-profile board with tech executives Sheryl Sandberg, Susan Decker, and Nick Clegg. As the No. 2 executive at OpenAI, Simo led the company's AGI Deployment division, citing health reasons for her departure in July. She previously led Instacart through its 2023 IPO and spent over a decade at Meta, including as head of the Facebook app. Nscale's founder and CEO, Josh Payne, described Simo as one of the few leaders who understand scaling products used by billions of people. The startup's valuation has skyrocketed since its founding two years ago, and it is reportedly trying to raise up to $3.5 billion. Nscale designs, builds, and operates AI data centers and is building a board with experienced executives to guide its growth.