What is LiquidSky?
LiquidSky was a trailblazer in providing multi-tenant GPU virtualization, primarily targeting the gaming sector. Despite its innovative approach, the company faced significant headwinds from larger competitors offering free services. This intense market pressure ultimately led to its acquisition by Walmart in 2018. The technological advancements pioneered by LiquidSky have since influenced the development of major cloud gaming platforms such as Xcloud and Geforce Now, underscoring the lasting impact of its contributions to cloud-based computing and AI services. Some former LiquidSky team members have since launched Stim.io, a new venture designed to navigate the complexities of cloud provider scaling.
How much funding has LiquidSky raised?
LiquidSky has raised a total of $14.1M across 4 funding rounds:
Private Equity
$1.3M
Angel/Seed
$4M
Debt
$2M
Other Financing Round
$6.8M
Private Equity (2015): $1.3M, investors not publicly disclosed
Angel/Seed (2016): $4M led by Samsung Global Innovation Center
Debt (2016): $2M, investors not publicly disclosed
Other Financing Round (2017): $6.8M featuring Samsung NEXT
Key Investors in LiquidSky
Samsung Global Innovation Center
Samsung Global Innovation Center is a venture capital firm focused on the consumer services industry, likely investing in early-stage technologies that align with Samsung's broader consumer electronics and services ecosystem.
Samsung NEXT
Samsung NEXT is an investment and product development arm of Samsung, focused on identifying and nurturing innovative software and services that complement Samsung's hardware offerings, often investing in startups that enhance the user experience across their product lines.
What's next for LiquidSky?
While LiquidSky as an independent entity ceased operations following its acquisition, its technological legacy continues to shape the cloud gaming and AI service landscape. The strategic investment received in 2017, though the exact sum is represented by $6.8M, likely signaled a phase of scaling and market expansion prior to its eventual acquisition. The company's journey from a seed-stage startup to an influential technology provider, culminating in its acquisition by a major retail giant, highlights the dynamic nature of the tech industry and the significant value placed on innovative cloud infrastructure. The ongoing evolution of cloud gaming and AI services demonstrates the enduring relevance of the foundational work LiquidSky accomplished.
See full LiquidSky company page