Western Digital Capital

Western Digital Capital, established in 2015, is the corporate venture capital arm of Western Digital Corporation. It invests in innovative startups that focus on data storage, management, and consumption, aligning with Western Digital's core business of developing, manufacturing, and selling data storage devices and solutions. These solutions cater to a wide range of customers, from consumers to businesses and governments, enabling them to create, manage, experience, and preserve digital content. Western Digital Capital provides capital, expertise, and connections to help these startups scale and grow, fostering innovation in the data storage industry.

Mark Long

President

Kaushik Roy

Senior Director, Corporate Investments

Sesh Tirumala

SVP and CIO

Past deals in Storage Services

Wasabi

Series C in 2021
Wasabi Technologies, Inc. is a Boston-based company that offers a cloud storage platform tailored for hybrid and multi-cloud media workflows. Founded in 2016, Wasabi provides hot storage solutions that utilize an Amazon S3 compatible API, enabling organizations to store and access data quickly, with average time-to-first-byte speeds under 15 milliseconds. The company's platform is designed to be simple and affordable, allowing customers to access unlimited data without complex pricing tiers or unpredictable egress fees. Wasabi's services cater to various industries, including media and entertainment, education, scientific research, law enforcement, healthcare, and energy. The company has gained recognition for its rapid growth and innovative approach to cloud storage, serving tens of thousands of customers worldwide.

Iridia

Series B in 2021
Iridia, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Carlsbad, California, that specializes in innovative data storage solutions utilizing DNA. Founded in 2016, the company has developed a groundbreaking technology that allows for the reading and writing of data in DNA, leveraging semiconductor fabrication and proprietary enzymology. By integrating DNA polymer synthesis technology with electronic nano-switches, Iridia offers a highly parallel format capable of storing data at exceptionally high densities. This advancement not only reduces the infrastructure requirements for data storage but also addresses environmental concerns associated with traditional storage methods. Iridia aims to provide an affordable and efficient means for businesses to manage large volumes of data sustainably.

Pliops

Venture Round in 2021
Pliops Ltd, established in 2017 and located in Ramat Gan, Israel, specializes in developing advanced cloud storage solutions aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data and complex application workloads. The company's flagship product, the Pliops Extreme Data Processor (XDP), is designed to enhance storage efficiency and performance by consolidating multiple inefficient layers into a single, high-speed device. This innovation significantly accelerates data processing for applications such as databases, analytics, and machine learning while reducing infrastructure costs. By simplifying the management of flash storage and improving data access speed, Pliops enables cloud and enterprise data centers to meet the increasing demands of modern applications, including AI, big data analytics, and IoT, with greater reliability and efficiency.

Chia Network

Venture Round in 2020
Chia Network Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that develops a blockchain platform focused on creating a more sustainable and decentralized cryptocurrency. Incorporated in 2017, Chia Network utilizes a unique approach based on proofs of space and time, harnessing low-cost, unused storage space on hard drives to optimize cryptocurrency transactions. The company offers Chialisp, a smart transaction programming language that enhances the security and ease of use of its cryptocurrency. By employing proofs of work for blockchain verification, Chia Network aims to provide a more efficient and secure alternative for both individual miners and traditional financial institutions purchasing and deploying cryptocurrency.

NGD Systems

Series C in 2020
NGD Systems, Inc. specializes in the development and manufacturing of advanced computational storage drives (CSDs) designed for enterprise and data center applications. Founded in 2013 and based in Irvine, California, with an additional office in Hsinchu, Taiwan, the company offers innovative solutions such as The Newport Platform, which provides next-generation computational storage capabilities, and the In-Situ Development Platform, enabling developers to create applications for in-situ processing. NGD Systems' products feature high-capacity NVMe CSDs that are power-efficient and compact, making them suitable for a variety of demanding environments, including edge computing networks, artificial intelligence, machine learning applications, and content delivery networks. By integrating computational capabilities directly into storage devices, the company aims to enhance data management and processing efficiency in data-intensive scenarios.

Komprise

Series C in 2019
Komprise, Inc. is a data management company that specializes in intelligent software designed to store, organize, and analyze both on-premise and cloud-based data. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Campbell, California, Komprise offers a multi-cloud data management-as-a-service platform that enables users to analyze and mobilize file and object data across various cloud environments. The company’s solution focuses on optimizing data storage by moving unstructured data to secondary storage based on factors such as age, usage, and security criteria. This approach allows organizations to effectively manage their data lifecycle through analytics, replication, archiving, and migration, ensuring that data remains accessible and appropriately situated. Komprise has established a strategic partnership with Ochser Consulting Group to enhance its service offerings.

WEKA

Series C in 2019
WEKA is an AI-native data platform company that provides a cloud and hardware-agnostic software solution for performance-intensive applications. Its WEKA® Data Platform enhances scalability and performance, transforming stagnant data silos into dynamic data pipelines that optimize enterprise AI, machine learning, and GPU workloads. The platform facilitates seamless data access across on-premises, cloud, edge, and hybrid multicloud environments. Serving hundreds of leading enterprises and renowned research organizations, including numerous Fortune 50 companies, WEKA addresses complex data challenges to accelerate discoveries, insights, and outcomes. The company's software-defined storage technology is tailored for high-performance and scalable file storage, making it beneficial for various industries such as life sciences, media and entertainment, financial services, and government.

Pliops

Series B in 2019
Pliops Ltd, established in 2017 and located in Ramat Gan, Israel, specializes in developing advanced cloud storage solutions aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data and complex application workloads. The company's flagship product, the Pliops Extreme Data Processor (XDP), is designed to enhance storage efficiency and performance by consolidating multiple inefficient layers into a single, high-speed device. This innovation significantly accelerates data processing for applications such as databases, analytics, and machine learning while reducing infrastructure costs. By simplifying the management of flash storage and improving data access speed, Pliops enables cloud and enterprise data centers to meet the increasing demands of modern applications, including AI, big data analytics, and IoT, with greater reliability and efficiency.

Excelero Storage

Corporate Round in 2018
Excelero developed NVMesh, a software platform that manages and secures virtual arrays of NVMe flash drives as block storage available across public and private clouds. The software supports Kubernetes containers.

Qumulo

Series D in 2018
Qumulo, Inc. develops a file data platform tailored for multi-cloud environments, focusing on enterprise data management. The core offering, Qumulo software, serves as an enterprise hybrid cloud file storage solution, providing real-time visibility, scalability, and control over data across data centers and public clouds. It supports secure, shared access to unstructured data through various protocols including SMB, NFS, and REST. The company also offers an NVMe file storage system, hybrid SSD storage, and cloud file storage solutions. Additionally, Qumulo provides professional services such as installation, data migration, advanced training, consulting, and systems health checks. Its data-awareness solutions cater to a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, film studios, and sectors like media and entertainment, research computing, public sector, and healthcare. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Qumulo has expanded its presence with additional offices worldwide.

ScyllaDB

Series C in 2018
ScyllaDB is a company specializing in the development of high-performance, scalable column store database software, particularly suited for data-intensive applications. It offers both open-source and enterprise versions of its product, which can be deployed in various environments, alongside ScyllaDB Cloud, a fully-managed Database as a Service available on major cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud. The software is designed to support wide-column NoSQL workloads and is fully compatible with popular systems such as Apache Cassandra and Amazon DynamoDB. Founded as Cloudius Systems, ScyllaDB is based in Herzliya, Israel, and aims to deliver exceptional performance and low latency while reducing costs, enabling organizations to leverage modern multi-core servers effectively as their data needs evolve.

Elastifile

Series C in 2017
Elastifile specializes in innovative data storage and management solutions that cater to the needs of enterprises operating in cloud and hybrid cloud environments. The company offers a distributed file system designed for scalability and high performance, which integrates object tiering to facilitate unified access to global data. By eliminating traditional storage silos, Elastifile empowers organizations to move applications seamlessly across various cloud platforms, enabling them to fully utilize cloud infrastructure for diverse data-driven workflows, such as analytics, DevOps, and high-performance computing. Its technology combines elements of cloud services, virtualization, and data communications to create a cohesive storage solution, helping clients adapt to and thrive in the evolving cloud landscape.

Tegile Systems

Acquisition in 2017
Tegile Systems, Inc. specializes in providing flash-driven storage solutions, including hybrid and all-flash storage arrays, designed for enterprise applications such as databases, virtualized servers, and virtual desktop environments. The company’s patented IntelliFlash architecture delivers high input/output performance and low latency, enabling significant improvements in business application efficiency and storage capacity reduction. Tegile Systems also offers a storage operating system that allows users to adjust the amount of flash in their systems to optimize both performance and cost. Additionally, the company provides a customer care program that utilizes cloud-based analytics to enhance user support. Founded in 2010 and based in Newark, California, Tegile Systems serves various sectors, including government and education, and operates as a subsidiary of Western Digital Corporation.

Upthere

Acquisition in 2017
Upthere, Inc. is a cloud computing company based in Palo Alto, California, that specializes in providing a comprehensive cloud-storage platform for personal data management. Founded in 2011, the company aims to offer users a single, secure home for their photos, videos, music, and documents. Its platform, Upthere Home, allows individuals to save, view, search, organize, and share their content efficiently. By building its technology stack from the ground up, Upthere focuses on ensuring that users can store their information safely and privately, making it easier to manage significant digital content. As of August 2017, Upthere operates as a subsidiary of Western Digital Corporation.

Tegile Systems

Series E in 2017
Tegile Systems, Inc. specializes in providing flash-driven storage solutions, including hybrid and all-flash storage arrays, designed for enterprise applications such as databases, virtualized servers, and virtual desktop environments. The company’s patented IntelliFlash architecture delivers high input/output performance and low latency, enabling significant improvements in business application efficiency and storage capacity reduction. Tegile Systems also offers a storage operating system that allows users to adjust the amount of flash in their systems to optimize both performance and cost. Additionally, the company provides a customer care program that utilizes cloud-based analytics to enhance user support. Founded in 2010 and based in Newark, California, Tegile Systems serves various sectors, including government and education, and operates as a subsidiary of Western Digital Corporation.

Avere Systems

Series E in 2017
Avere Systems, Inc. specializes in cloud file storage infrastructure, providing solutions that enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of data storage for enterprises. The company offers a range of products, including Virtual FXT Edge filers, CloudFusion, and FXT Edge Filers, which optimize network-attached storage (NAS) and facilitate cloud integration. Avere's storage management software, such as FlashMove and FlashMirror, assists with data migration and protection, while their cloud enablement solutions address various storage needs, including private object storage and NAS optimization. With a commitment to transforming the economics of data storage, Avere empowers organizations across diverse industries, including government, finance, media, life sciences, and energy, to manage their data with greater flexibility and security. Founded in 2008 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Avere Systems operates as a subsidiary of Microsoft Azure and maintains data centers worldwide.

ScyllaDB

Series B in 2017
ScyllaDB is a company specializing in the development of high-performance, scalable column store database software, particularly suited for data-intensive applications. It offers both open-source and enterprise versions of its product, which can be deployed in various environments, alongside ScyllaDB Cloud, a fully-managed Database as a Service available on major cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud. The software is designed to support wide-column NoSQL workloads and is fully compatible with popular systems such as Apache Cassandra and Amazon DynamoDB. Founded as Cloudius Systems, ScyllaDB is based in Herzliya, Israel, and aims to deliver exceptional performance and low latency while reducing costs, enabling organizations to leverage modern multi-core servers effectively as their data needs evolve.

Panzura

Series E in 2017
Panzura, Inc. specializes in enterprise storage infrastructure tailored for the cloud era. The company's offerings include a Global Cloud Storage System, which features the Panzura Controller, an on-premise appliance that interfaces with the Panzura Global File System. This system, designed for seamless cloud integration, provides network-attached storage capabilities while ensuring scalability across locations and user bases. Panzura's solutions encompass a range of applications, including file sharing, project collaboration, and cloud-based archiving, serving diverse sectors such as oil and gas, entertainment, healthcare, and architecture. Additionally, the company provides data protection services and customer support, empowering organizations to manage their data efficiently and securely. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Campbell, California, Panzura aims to enhance the agility and productivity of digital-first organizations by consolidating data and making it readily accessible across various cloud environments.

Upthere

Venture Round in 2016
Upthere, Inc. is a cloud computing company based in Palo Alto, California, that specializes in providing a comprehensive cloud-storage platform for personal data management. Founded in 2011, the company aims to offer users a single, secure home for their photos, videos, music, and documents. Its platform, Upthere Home, allows individuals to save, view, search, organize, and share their content efficiently. By building its technology stack from the ground up, Upthere focuses on ensuring that users can store their information safely and privately, making it easier to manage significant digital content. As of August 2017, Upthere operates as a subsidiary of Western Digital Corporation.

Tegile Systems

Series D in 2015
Tegile Systems, Inc. specializes in providing flash-driven storage solutions, including hybrid and all-flash storage arrays, designed for enterprise applications such as databases, virtualized servers, and virtual desktop environments. The company’s patented IntelliFlash architecture delivers high input/output performance and low latency, enabling significant improvements in business application efficiency and storage capacity reduction. Tegile Systems also offers a storage operating system that allows users to adjust the amount of flash in their systems to optimize both performance and cost. Additionally, the company provides a customer care program that utilizes cloud-based analytics to enhance user support. Founded in 2010 and based in Newark, California, Tegile Systems serves various sectors, including government and education, and operates as a subsidiary of Western Digital Corporation.

Amplidata

Series E in 2014
Amplidata develops advanced storage technology designed to enhance data reliability and efficiency. Its innovative BitSpread encoding technology offers a highly scalable and user-friendly alternative to traditional RAID systems, boasting a reliability that is ten thousand times greater. This solution not only requires three times less storage and power, but also significantly reduces costs, making it five times cheaper than existing options. Amplidata's products, including the AmpliStor object-based software-defined storage system, cater to both private and hyper-scale public cloud environments, addressing critical challenges such as performance, error rates, and system failures. Founded in 2008 by experienced industry professionals Wim De Wispelaere and Wouter Van Eetvelde, along with investor Kristof De Spiegeleer, Amplidata operates from its headquarters in Lochristi, Belgium, with research and development facilities in both Belgium and Egypt, and a sales presence across Europe and North America.

Avere Systems

Series D in 2014
Avere Systems, Inc. specializes in cloud file storage infrastructure, providing solutions that enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of data storage for enterprises. The company offers a range of products, including Virtual FXT Edge filers, CloudFusion, and FXT Edge Filers, which optimize network-attached storage (NAS) and facilitate cloud integration. Avere's storage management software, such as FlashMove and FlashMirror, assists with data migration and protection, while their cloud enablement solutions address various storage needs, including private object storage and NAS optimization. With a commitment to transforming the economics of data storage, Avere empowers organizations across diverse industries, including government, finance, media, life sciences, and energy, to manage their data with greater flexibility and security. Founded in 2008 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Avere Systems operates as a subsidiary of Microsoft Azure and maintains data centers worldwide.

STEC

Acquisition in 2013
sTec is a computer data storage technology company headquartered in California, with research and development, sales, support or manufacturing sites in China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Silicon Valley, and Taiwan.

Virident Systems

Acquisition in 2013
Virident Systems specializes in developing enterprise-class storage solutions utilizing Storage Class Memory (SCM) technologies, including flash memory, aimed at transforming data centers and cloud computing environments. The company addresses historical challenges associated with performance, reliability, and serviceability in storage technologies. Its flagship product, the tachIOn solid-state disk, offers significantly enhanced performance—4 to 10 times greater than competing products—while ensuring consistent reliability for data-intensive applications. Founded by experienced professionals from leading technology companies, Virident Systems has cultivated a team with deep expertise in flash technologies, empowering them to tackle complex challenges in modern data environments. Through its innovative hardware and software offerings, Virident Systems positions itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of enterprise storage solutions.

VeloBit

Acquisition in 2013
VeloBit specializes in developing software that enhances application performance through SSD caching, achieving significant improvements in storage price-performance. By creating a transparent application acceleration layer, VeloBit's software can boost performance by up to ten times without requiring alterations to existing applications or primary storage systems. This plug-and-play solution installs in just 60 seconds and automatically optimizes itself for maximum application speed. VeloBit's approach allows customers to leverage Solid State Disk technology while preserving their current investments in data protection and storage management, ensuring a seamless integration into their existing infrastructure.

Skyera

Series B in 2013
Skyera specializes in providing affordable flash memory solutions for enterprise solid-state storage systems. The company's Skyhawk series is engineered to deliver high performance and low power consumption, making it suitable for a wide range of applications such as cloud computing, big data, mobility, and social networking. By focusing on cost-effective solutions, Skyera aims to enhance the efficiency of enterprise storage systems while meeting the demands of modern data-driven environments.

HGST

Acquisition in 2012
HGST, formerly known as Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, is a storage company based in San Jose, California, focused on addressing the growing demand for data storage in a world increasingly reliant on cloud services, social networks, and mobile devices. The company is recognized for its reliability and offers a diverse range of high-quality hard disk drives and solid-state drives designed to efficiently store, manage, and protect vast amounts of data. HGST's products serve a variety of customers, including enterprises, internet companies, consumers, and creative professionals, providing essential solutions for data preservation and management.

SiliconSystems

Acquisition in 2009
SiliconSystems is the world leader in industrial-grade solid-state storage solutions engineered exclusively for the high performance, high reliability, multi-year product lifecycle requirements of the Enterprise System OEM market. The company's patented and patent-pending SiliconDrive(TM) technology meets the rigorous demands of applications in the netcom, military, industrial, interactive kiosk and medical markets. SiliconSystems is based in Aliso Viejo, California.

Crag Technologies

Acquisition in 1999
Storage Solutions for NT Servers

Cerabyte

Cerabyte specializes in advanced ceramic-based data storage technology, providing innovative solutions for data preservation. This technology offers virtually eternal data retention, eliminating the need for media replacement, data migration, or energy consumption. Cerabyte focuses on enhancing enterprise systems to ensure rapid data writing and reading capabilities, with aspirations to achieve high capacities and performance in future products. Additionally, the company addresses the growing demands of data centers by combining existing technologies and materials to reduce their footprint. Cerabyte's solutions are designed to meet the performance, density, and sustainability requirements of modern data storage, allowing businesses to store their data efficiently and sustainably over the long term.
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