Chinese startup gains funding boost to expand across Asia’s AI infrastructure market
SmartData, a fast-growing AI compute infrastructure startup based in China, has raised $28 million in a Series A+ round. The capital will be used to scale its high-performance computing (HPC) capacity and expand geographically across Asia.
The funding comes at a time when AI adoption is growing rapidly across sectors, from manufacturing to finance. As a result, demand for reliable, energy-efficient AI infrastructure is surging—especially in countries looking to accelerate their digital economies.
With this latest funding, SmartData plans to deepen its role in powering AI innovation in China and neighboring markets.
Building the backbone of AI growth
Founded in 2020, SmartData has positioned itself as a core infrastructure enabler for AI development. The company specializes in GPU clusters, high-speed data interconnects, and customized compute environments optimized for AI training and inference workloads.
SmartData provides its clients—ranging from tech startups to research labs—with ready-to-use infrastructure that can handle large-scale model development. This plug-and-play model helps reduce costs and setup time for organizations entering AI fields.
The startup has already deployed several regional compute hubs in China and has begun early expansion into Southeast Asia. Its edge lies in offering scalable, modular solutions designed specifically for AI needs, including model fine-tuning and multi-node computation.
Scaling AI infra where it's most needed
The $28 million Series A+ round was led by Chinese venture capital firm Northern Light VC, with participation from existing investors. According to SmartData, the fresh capital will help it build out data centers in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Moreover, funds will support upgrades to the company’s AI operating system layer, enabling better orchestration, security, and energy optimization across clients’ compute pipelines.
SmartData also aims to strengthen its R&D teams to stay ahead in emerging segments like edge AI deployment, model compression, and data caching for large language models.
As AI projects become more complex, having localized, scalable compute power becomes critical. Startups, universities, and enterprises alike are now turning to specialized providers like SmartData to meet their evolving infrastructure needs.
Asia’s AI infrastructure race accelerates
SmartData’s funding success reflects a broader shift in Asia’s technology priorities. While much of the focus in recent years has been on AI applications, attention is now turning to the underlying systems that make these tools viable.
In markets like Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, startups and government agencies are pushing to build domestic AI capabilities. However, many lack access to affordable and regionally available compute.
This is where SmartData’s model fits in. By co-locating compute infrastructure close to users, the company improves latency, reduces cost, and makes AI development more inclusive and regional.
Moreover, as nations seek digital sovereignty, local AI infra becomes a strategic necessity—not just a technical one.
Building Asia's AI infrastructure layer
Looking ahead, SmartData sees itself becoming a foundational player in Asia’s AI infrastructure stack. The company plans to expand to ten more cities across Asia in the next 18 months, with a strong focus on cross-border partnerships.
It is also exploring partnerships with telecom providers, data center operators, and academic institutions to increase its presence in both public and private sectors.
Furthermore, SmartData is working on greener AI solutions by improving power efficiency across its clusters. This aligns with Asia’s growing climate goals, where sustainability is fast becoming a core requirement in tech investment.
If successful, SmartData could emerge as a regional alternative to Western AI infrastructure giants, offering affordable, compliant, and localized services to an underserved market.
Momentum builds in Asia’s AI infra ecosystem
SmartData’s Series A+ round not only fuels its own growth, but also signals a shift in regional priorities toward infrastructure as a key enabler of AI progress.
By addressing the compute bottleneck across Asia, the company is helping unlock broader participation in the AI revolution—from research labs in Jakarta to fintech startups in Ho Chi Minh City.
With scalable solutions and strategic vision, SmartData is building the foundation for Asia’s AI-driven future.
