Back to News Hub
🟢TechCrunch AI
June 18, 2026
General AI

AI inference startup Baseten reportedly raising $1.5B months after its last mega-round

Overview

Startup Baseten is reportedly close to finalizing a $1. 5 billion round at a $13 billion as the "inference gold rush" marches on. Dominic-Madori Davis AI inference startup Baseten reportedly raising $1.

Key Takeaways

  • 5B months after its last mega-round AI inference company Baseten is close to finalizing a stunning $1.

    5 billion funding round at a $13 billion valuation, the Wall Street Journal reports .

  • Just five months ago, the startup announced that it had raised a $300 million Series E at a $5 billion valuation.

    And that round was just nine months after raising a $150 million Series D.

  • However, the WSJ reports that this is a split-priced round , a tactic startups are using to boost their headline valuation and make lead investors look good on paper.

    Some investors in this latest funding round are reportedly coming in at a $13 billion valuation, while others at $11 billion, sources told the Journal.

  • Launched in 2019, Baseten is a startup benefiting from what The Next Wave hailed the " inference gold rush ," in which VCs are pouring enormous amounts of money into companies building the inference layer.

    Inference is what the model does after a user submits a prompt.

  • Through candid fireside chats and high-impact networking, you'll walk away with valuable insights and new connections.

Stats & Key Facts

  • #5 billion round at a $13 billion as the "inference gold rush" marches on.
  • #5 billion round at a $13 billion as the "inference gold rush" marches on.
  • #Dominic-Madori Davis AI inference startup Baseten reportedly raising $1.
  • #5B months after its last mega-round AI inference company Baseten is close to finalizing a stunning $1.

5B months after its last mega-round AI inference company Baseten is close to finalizing a stunning $1. 5 billion funding round at a $13 billion valuation, the Wall Street Journal reports . Just five months ago, the startup announced that it had raised a $300 million Series E at a $5 billion valuation.

And that round was just nine months after raising a $150 million Series D. If finalized, this latest round would represent a 160% increase in valuation in less than half a year. However, the WSJ reports that this is a split-priced round , a tactic startups are using to boost their headline valuation and make lead investors look good on paper.

Some investors in this latest funding round are reportedly coming in at a $13 billion valuation, while others at $11 billion, sources told the Journal. This deal is said to be co-led by Spark Capital, Sands Capital, Altimeter Capital, and Wellington Management. Launched in 2019, Baseten is a startup benefiting from what The Next Wave hailed the " inference gold rush ," in which VCs are pouring enormous amounts of money into companies building the inference layer.

For more details please read the original article at TechCrunch AI.

Continue Learning

Originally published by TechCrunch AI
Read the original

Comments

Sign in to join the conversation