Vinoo, CEO of Kepler, discusses the rise of Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) across AI labs and startups, drawing from his experience building FDE programs at Palantir, Citadel, and Kepler. He highlights confusion around the FDE role—ranging from sales engineers to consultants—and traces the origins of structured FDE programs through Palantir's Project Frontline.
Kepler Computing, a San Jose startup founded in 2018, has emerged from stealth mode claiming to have developed a new high-bandwidth memory architecture using 3D stacking and proprietary materials that avoids costly extreme ultraviolet lithography. The company has raised $468 million from major backers including Intel, AMD, and Bill Gates, plus $245 million in US Department of Commerce funding, and is currently testing its technology in Singapore and Vermont to help address the global memory chip shortage.
Kepler Computing, a San Jose startup founded in 2018, has emerged from stealth with a novel 3D stacking architecture for high-bandwidth memory that bypasses expensive EUV lithography and can work with existing fabrication plants. The company has raised $468 million from investors including Intel Capital, AMD Ventures, and Bill Gates, plus a $245 million US Department of Commerce commitment, and is currently testing its technology in Singapore with manufacturing partner GlobalFoundries.