Alumni Ventures Invests in Sahara to Advance Decentralized AI
Sahara AI Co-Founder Sean (Xiang) Ren Recently Discussed His Company on AV’s Tech Optimist Podcast
Alumni Ventures (AV), one of the world’s most active venture capital firms, is pleased to announce our continued support of Sahara AI. With its unique combination of AI and blockchain technology, Sahara AI is pioneering a new era of AI ownership, privacy, and provenance, empowering users to control and monetize their AI assets, including proprietary data, models, and agents. AV recently invested in the company’s $43 million round alongside Pantera Capital, Binance Labs, Polychain Capital, Samsung NEXT, and several other established investors.
Sahara AI was co-founded by Sean (Xiang) Ren, Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southern California, to address critical concerns about the growing influence of AI, particularly around copyright, privacy, resource access, and economic imbalances.
Tech Optimist Episode #47: The Company Creating a Collaborative AI Economy
See video policy below.
“The advancements in AI are exciting, but they also pose challenges, especially around user data and control,” said Ren, who recently discussed his company on AV’s Tech Optimist podcast. “Sahara AI offers a solution by creating a blockchain-based platform where users retain sovereignty over their AI assets.”
The Sahara AI platform is composed of five key components, each designed to empower individuals, developers, and businesses to create and manage AI assets in a decentralized environment. Together, these components create a comprehensive, accessible, and secure platform for the collaborative development, deployment, and monetization of AI.
- Home
Sahara Blockchain
An AI-native blockchain providing the foundation for secure, transparent transactions and efficient AI lifecycle management across the ecosystem. The Sahara Blockchain is specifically designed to handle the complexities of AI-related transactions. - Home
AI Infrastructure
Cutting-edge algorithms and computational framework that supports the latest AI advancements. This infrastructure includes capabilities for decentralized, collaborative training and serving of AI models, enabling participants to contribute resources and expertise to the development of AI in a secure and scalable environment. - Home
Sahara AI Marketplace
A decentralized hub for crowdsourcing AI assets, featuring a diverse portfolio of AI agents, models, and datasets. The marketplace is powered by blockchain-backed ownership and offers flexible licensing options, making it easy for users to monetize and share their AI assets. - Home
Development Tools
User-friendly tools designed to cater to all skill levels. For developers, the Sahara SDK & API provide powerful programming and integration capabilities. For non-technical users, No-Code/Low-Code platforms allow for the creation and deployment of AI assets through intuitive interfaces and pre-built templates. - Home
Secure Storage
Encrypted vaults and robust security measures ensure the protection of AI assets and user data. Sahara AI's storage solutions are designed to safeguard proprietary models, datasets, and other critical AI resources against unauthorized access and threats.
These components work together to create a cohesive platform that supports the entire AI lifecycle, from development and deployment to monetization and governance.
Sahara AI is preparing for several major milestones, including the launch of its mainnet and no-code agent creation platform next year.
“Sahara AI is at the forefront of a critical intersection between AI and blockchain technology, and we at Alumni Ventures are thrilled to support their mission,” said AV Managing Partner Ray Wu, who hosted the conversation with Ren on AV’s Tech Optimist podcast. “Sean and his team are building an innovative platform that not only empowers users with control over their AI data but also paves the way for a decentralized future in AI.”
Sahara AI is a decentralized blockchain platform that prioritizes sovereignty and provenance of AI, ensuring security, equity, and accessibility for all users. Backed by top investors in AI and Crypto, including Pantera Capital, Binance Labs, Polychain Capital, Samsung NEXT, Matrix Partners, and many more, Sahara AI continues to push the boundaries of decentralized AI. Today, Sahara AI is trusted by 35+ leading tech innovators and research institutions, such as Microsoft, Amazon, MIT, Motherson Group, and Snap.
About Alumni Ventures
Alumni Ventures offers accredited individuals access to professional-grade venture capital, a key asset class missing from the portfolios of many sophisticated investors. Since 2014, AV has raised $1.3+ billion from 10,000+ investors and backed 1,400+ unique portfolio companies. AV is a top 20 VC firm in North America according to CB Insights and the #1 most active VC firm in the U.S., and #3 most active in the world, according to PitchBook’s 2022 and 2023 rankings. AV has won awards from Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, Benzinga, and the US FinTech Awards. AV funds are private, for-profit, and not affiliated with or sanctioned by any school.
About Tech Optimist
The Tech Optimist Podcast, presented by Alumni Ventures (AV), focuses on the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. True to our name, we are passionate about technology and its potential to drive positive change. We explore our lane through interviews with founders, investors, and futurists; discussions of new innovations; and reviews of trends in tech and venture capital. Subscribe Here »
Media Contact Info
Scott Murphy
Alumni Ventures
670 N. Commercial Street, Suite 403
Manchester, NH 03101
Email: [email protected]
Want to learn more?
View all our available funds and secure data rooms, or schedule an intro call.
New to AV?
Sign up and access exclusive venture content.
Contact [email protected] for additional information. To see additional risk factors and investment considerations, visit av-funds.com/disclosures.