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Supercomputer start-up nets $21 million

SiCortex investment will go toward development and marketing of Linux cluster machines; debut is set for November.

Stephen Shankland Former Principal Writer
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
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  • Shankland covered the tech industry for more than 25 years and was a science writer for five years before that. He has deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and more.
Stephen Shankland

Supercomputing start-up SiCortex has completed a second funding round, netting $21 million to build Linux-based cluster systems it plans to show off for the first time on Nov. 13 at the Supercomputing 2006 show, the company said Wednesday. Chevron Technology Ventures' venture capital group, CTTV Investments, led the round, which also drew further funds from all four firms in a first $21 million investment: Polaris Venture Partners, Flagship Ventures, JK&B Capital and Prism Venture Partners.

The Maynard, Mass.-based company is designing Linux clusters, a common technique, but deviates from the norm by using 64-bit processors that consume less power and therefore produce much less waste heat, the company said. Its chairman is Bob Metcalfe, who helped invent Ethernet and who now is a partner at Polaris.