Large language models often face challenges due to their size. Addressing this concern, the Spanish startup Multiverse Computing has introduced compressed models designed to bridge the gap between advanced capabilities and affordability for businesses.
At the heart of this innovation is CompactifAI, a compression technology influenced by quantum computing, which has been applied to models developed by OpenAI. Developers can now freely access the latest iteration of Multiverse's HyperNova 60B model, a significant step towards making AI more accessible. Looking ahead, the company plans to open-source additional compressed models by 2026, broadening the scope of potential applications.
Multiverse asserts that its models are not only smaller but also maintain comparable potency and precision. Weighing in at 32GB, the HyperNova 60B is approximately half the size of its predecessor, OpenAI's gpt-oss-120B, while also reducing memory consumption and latency. The revamped model, dubbed HyperNova 60B 2602, enhances support for tool calling and agentic coding, where inference costs can be substantial.
In the competitive landscape, Multiverse claims to have outperformed rivals such as Mistral Large 3, a creation of the French decacorn Mistral AI. Despite this rivalry, both European AI firms share common ground, including expansion beyond their native countries, with Multiverse establishing a presence in the United States, Canada, and throughout Europe. Their clientele includes notable enterprises like Iberdrola, Bosch, and the Bank of Canada.
While Multiverse has yet to achieve unicorn status, it is reportedly in discussions for a new funding round aiming to raise €500 million, potentially valuing the company at over €1.5 billion. Although the company has confirmed ongoing talks with investors, it remains cautious about disclosing specific details regarding valuation or funding size at this time. Reports indicate that its annual recurring revenue (ARR) reached €100 million in January, a noteworthy milestone.
Though this figure is modest compared to OpenAI's impressive $20 billion ARR, it approaches Mistral's ARR, which surged past $400 million amid rising demand for alternatives to U.S. technology. Multiverse positions itself as a provider of "sovereign solutions across the AI stack," emphasizing its commitment to delivering innovative AI solutions.
Recently, Multiverse secured a strategic partnership with the regional government of Aragón in northeastern Spain, further solidifying its role in the European tech landscape. The Spanish Agency for Technological Transformation (SETT) was also a participant in the startup's successful $215 million Series B funding round last year. Since its establishment, Multiverse has garnered support from the Basque region, which may soon celebrate its first unicorn.