Blaize develops edge AI computing hardware and software platforms. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Blaize co-founder and CEO Dinakar Munagala to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Dinakar Munagala’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Munagala said:
“I’ve always been driven by curiosity and a passion for solving real-world problems. I began my career as an engineer focused on systems and performance, and over time, became fascinated by the potential of AI and edge computing to transform how and where intelligence is applied.”
“I spent 12 years at Intel, where I led global teams in developing next-generation multi-core, multi-threaded graphics chips and helped architect the company’s first integrated CPU/GPU product family. That work deepened my belief that intelligence needs to move closer to where data is created — not just live in the cloud.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Munagala shared:
“In 2010, a few of us left Intel with a bold vision: to reimagine how AI could work at the edge, outside of traditional data centers. We saw an opportunity to reimagine how AI could work at the edge, especially in real-world, physical applications. Initially, the focus was on developing energy-efficient processors for general-purpose computing, but we soon shifted our focus to the rapidly growing field of AI, specifically targeting the unique demands of real-world, physical AI applications—extending from the edge to embedded environments across industries.”
“That idea became Blaize. We went public earlier this year and today, our mission is simple: to help physical systems think faster and smarter, using less energy—whether on the factory floor, in the city, or at the edge of the network. Blaize is now shaping the infrastructure behind the future of AI, enabling smarter, faster, and more efficient edge intelligence across every major industry, from healthcare to defense to smart cities.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Munagala reflected:
“One of my most meaningful memories was during the early days of COVID, when the world felt like it was falling apart. Even while I was hospitalized, our team came together and built an AI solution to detect COVID using chest X-rays—something every small hospital or clinic could use. We donated it freely to governments in India and the Philippines. It wasn’t about profit; it was about doing something that mattered. Later, that same work was adapted by a hospital in Abu Dhabi to detect tuberculosis in migrant populations. That moment—where our skills, our technology, and our hearts aligned to help people—is something I’ll never forget. It’s why we do what we do.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Munagala explained:
“Blaize builds energy efficient, powerful AI chips and software that can run right where the data is made—on a camera in a city, or in a device helping first responders. The technology Blaize builds helps machines understand what’s happening around them, right where it matters. We help customers move from idea to action fast.”
“Blaize’s Graph Streaming Processor (GSP) introduces a shift away from traditional hardware architectures. Instead of saving and loading a lot of data all the time like a graphics processing unit (GPU) does, it sends the data from one part to another only when it’s needed. This saves energy and works faster, directly aligning with the real-time requirements of edge AI applications. Edge computing is set to unlock operational efficiencies and new capabilities in industries like healthcare and smart cities, and Blaize’s architecture is designed to address barriers to adoption in these sectors.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Munagala cited:
“Since our founding, Blaize has reached several key milestones on our path to redefining AI at the edge. The launch of our first-generation graph streaming processor (GSP) chip in 2020 marked a pivotal moment, bringing our technology to market and validating our vision. Since then, we’ve continued to grow our partner ecosystem, collaborating with organizations like Turbo Federal, BroadSat Technologies, and the Chungbuk Institute of Science and Technology (CBIST) to expand the reach and impact of our edge AI solutions.”
Funding/Revenue
Are you able to discuss funding and/or revenue metrics? Munagala revealed:
“Blaize has raised over $330 million from strategic investors such as DENSO, Mercedes-Benz AG, Magna, and Samsung and financial investors such as Franklin Templeton, Temasek, GGV, Bess Ventures, BurTech LP LLC, Rizvi Traverse, and Ava Investors.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Munagala assessed:
“Blaize is strategically poised to capture a significant share of the rapidly expanding global market for edge AI solutions, which is projected to be valued at $71.3B by 2028, driven by the widespread adoption of AI inference at the edge.”
“Blaize’s market strategy targets opportunities across three core sectors: the security and monitoring market, valued at $20 billion in 2024 and forecasted to grow to over $42 billion by 2028, the enterprise edge market, which is projected to reach $10.9 billion by 2028, and the rapidly growing autonomous systems market, projected to grow to $17.5 billion by 2028.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Munagala affirmed:
“Blaize is leading the transition to Physical AI—real-time, localized intelligence purpose-built for physical environments. Unlike cloud-centric platforms, Blaize delivers integrated hardware and software solutions that power AI at the edge, on-device, and in embedded systems where latency, power, and reliability are mission-critical.”
“Our platform delivers scalable, power-efficient performance at the edge, complementing cloud and GPU-based solutions by extending AI into environments where real-time, local processing is essential. This is where Blaize stands apart and where we’re building long-term differentiation.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Munagala concluded:
“Now, as a public company, we’re focused on accelerating growth—expanding our customer base, scaling deployments, and advancing our product roadmap to meet the evolving needs of edge AI. Looking ahead, one of our key priorities is deepening our ecosystem of partners, including manufacturers, system integrators, ISVs, and developers. By fostering a more modular and adaptable AI stack, we aim to unlock broader adoption across industries and make edge intelligence more accessible, efficient, and scalable.”
