Toronto’s CentML, a machine learning startup focused on AI hardware optimization, has been acquired by Nvidia for an undisclosed amount
The move brings CentML’s founding team—CEO Gennady Pekhimenko, COO Akbar Nurlybayev, and CTO Shang Wang—into leadership roles at Nvidia, where they will help steer the chipmaker’s AI software efforts.
Helping companies maximize hardware performance
The firm specialized in helping clients get more computational efficiency out of their existing hardware setups. Pekhimenko previously described their mission as squeezing “more juice” from available infrastructure, reducing costs and boosting ML model performance.
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CentML shuts down operations post-acquisition
The company’s federal registration was discontinued on June 6, 2025, and it will officially cease operations by July 17. At least 15 engineers and two interns are moving over to Nvidia as part of the deal, though not all employees will make the transition.
From seed funding to acquisition
Nvidia first backed CentML during its $37M CAD seed round in October 2023, which was led by Gradient Ventures (Google’s AI fund) and included Deloitte Ventures, Thomson Reuters Ventures, and Radical Ventures. The company had plans to double its 32-person team by the end of 2024.
Part of a larger AI talent push in Canada
The acquisition mirrors moves by Nvidia rival AMD, which recently acquired Toronto-based Untether AI. The race to secure top Canadian AI talent underscores the country’s growing role in the global AI ecosystem.
