Datum Raises $13.6M to Build an Open Network Cloud for Developers

Datum, the New York City-based startup building an open network cloud platform aimed at giving developers enterprise-grade networking tools, has secured significant early-stage funding as it builds out its product and expands into the growing cloud and AI infrastructure market. The company’s recent financing underscores investor confidence in its mission to democratize access to advanced network infrastructure for builders outside the hyperscale cloud incumbents.

Founded by Zachary Smith and his team, Datum is developing a software-defined network cloud that integrates capabilities such as global edge proxy services, security features like web application firewalls, DNS and domain management, and future offerings aimed at virtualized networking and backbone services. The startup says its platform will help emerging cloud platforms and developers deploy and manage complex connectivity without deep network engineering expertise.

The company’s most recent fundraising effort brought in $13.6 million in combined pre-seed and seed capital, a haul that will support further product development, hiring, and go-to-market activities. According to the company, the pre-seed portion of the round was spearheaded by Amplify Partners and Encoded Ventures, two firms known for backing early infrastructure and developer-focused technology companies. These lead investors were joined by a group of venture firms providing additional support.

Backing in the pre-seed round also came from Vine Ventures, Cervin Ventures, and StepFunction VC, adding to a cohort of early believers in Datum’s vision. On the seed side, CRV led the allocation, with support from existing investors and Ex/Ante, a venture firm focused on frontier technologies.

The financing round reflects a broader trend in the tech ecosystem, where tools that facilitate cloud-native and AI-centric operations have continued to attract venture capital despite a cautious funding environment. Datum’s raise places it among a growing group of infrastructure startups benefiting from sustained interest in platforms that enable developers to build, connect, and scale modern applications.

Datum’s leadership has emphasized the practical challenges facing developers as application stacks increasingly span multiple clouds and environments. Securely and efficiently connecting services at scale has become more complex, particularly for smaller teams. The new capital will allow Datum to deepen its product capabilities, invest in community engagement, and accelerate the company’s roadmap for additional networking features.

Chief executive Zachary Smith has said that Datum’s emphasis on building in the open and prioritizing developer experience has resonated strongly with investors. He has also pointed to the founding team’s prior experience in building and scaling infrastructure companies as a key factor in the company’s ability to secure early backing.

The funding news follows continued momentum in New York’s startup ecosystem, where infrastructure, cloud, and developer-tool companies have increasingly drawn investor attention. Datum’s progress positions it as part of a new wave of platforms seeking to provide the foundational building blocks for next-generation applications spanning AI, edge computing, and distributed systems.

As Datum rolls out its Builder tier offerings and prepares additional expansions, including capabilities designed for larger-scale users, the company’s investors are positioning it to pursue what it sees as a substantial opportunity in interconnected cloud services. While still early in its commercialization journey, the funding milestone marks a key step in Datum’s efforts to simplify networking for developers and cloud architects worldwide.