The Most Impactful Enterpreneur Follow in 2024
High-performance computing (HPC) enables rapid execution of large-scale, complex calculations, essential for analyzing vast data sets in fields such as weather forecasting, climate modeling, crash test simulations, and computational fluid dynamics. These tasks are far too large to be handled by a single computer, even one with multiple processor cores. Instead, they require thousands to hundreds of thousands of cores to deliver timely results. For example, a weather forecast for tomorrow is of little use if completed in a week. HPC drives forward many societal, industrial, and technological advancements. Axel Kloth, President and CEO of Abacus Semiconductor Corporation, has long recognized the need for improved HPC performance scaling and is working to address it.
With a background in both physics and computer science, Axel is a successful serial entrepreneur skilled in both technology and business applications. He founded SSRLabs, a company focused on HPC, and Parimics, which developed vision processors and systems for real-time object detection, motion analysis, and object tracking. Parimics’ systems allowed for tracking an unlimited number of objects in a frame, while SSRLabs developed accelerators for HPC. SSRLabs also spun off security processor technology into another startup, Axiado, which Axel co-founded. Though his career branched out into security, Axel eventually returned to HPC with the creation of Abacus Semiconductor Corporation.
The Vision Behind Abacus Semiconductor Corporation
The idea for Abacus Semiconductor Corporation stemmed from Axel’s frustration with the inefficiencies in supercomputing. As both a physicist and supercomputer user, he observed that supercomputers often fail to scale as expected. For instance, a system with 100,000 servers may only deliver 5000 times the performance of a single server, leading to wasted resources such as time, effort, and cost. As a computer scientist, Axel sought to reduce these inefficiencies. The founding of Abacus Semiconductor Corporation was his solution to this problem.
Revolutionizing HPC
Abacus Semiconductor Corporation developed a groundbreaking system that includes a processor, smart memory, and two accelerators for special-purpose applications. Axel and his team achieved two critical goals: more linear performance scaling across thousands of cores and full integration of accelerator cores while maintaining common memory and using an open Instruction Set Architecture (ISA). Their processor is designed to be compatible with widely used programming languages and standard compilers, making it easy for users to adopt.
These innovations apply to a wide range of industries—from weather forecasting and climate modeling to aerodynamic research and crash simulations. Moreover, advancements in fields such as battery technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) also benefit from processors with many cores and large-scale coherent memories, enabling faster and more efficient computations.
As AI and ML have moved from niche technologies to mainstream applications, both are now considered essential parts of HPC. Axel sees this evolution as a key driver of future advancements in the field.
Leading Abacus Semiconductor Corporation
As President and CEO, Axel is focused on building a world-class team and ensuring customer satisfaction. “We prioritize potential over pedigree when hiring,” he notes. The company is committed to internal knowledge development, with Axel believing that in the long term, in-house intellectual property (IP) is far more valuable than outsourced solutions. “We only outsource when absolutely necessary,” he adds.
Navigating Industry Challenges
Axel is critical of certain trends in the semiconductor industry, particularly when technology advancements leave some people behind. He stresses the importance of ensuring that innovations are accessible and understandable to the average person. If technology such as AI, ML, and HPC is only accessible to a select few, he argues, the industry has failed to communicate its benefits. Axel urges the tech industry to counter anti-scientific sentiments and promote a general understanding of scientific principles.
Valuing Constructive Criticism
Axel strongly believes that a good leader must foster a culture of constructive criticism. Managers and supervisors should hire to solve specific problems and create an environment where employees feel their feedback is valued, even if it challenges leadership decisions. “The best leaders value criticism and are willing to be proven wrong,” he says. He didn’t always understand the importance of this approach but has made it a cornerstone of his leadership style as CEO.
Corporate Responsibility and Customer Relations
For any startup in the semiconductor industry, resource management is critical. Axel acknowledges the responsibility to shareholders and the need for sustainable business growth that benefits founders, shareholders, and employees. He emphasizes transparency with customers, especially in the conservative HPC industry, where long-term trust is vital. “We are always honest with our customers about what we can and can’t do,” Axel explains. Building customer trust is key, as supercomputing is a significant investment, and clients must have confidence in the company’s ability to deliver results.
Axel Kloth and Abacus Semiconductor Corporation are redefining the landscape of HPC, focusing on efficiency, transparency, and the development of accessible technology. Through innovation in processor design and a commitment to team growth and customer trust, they are well-positioned to lead the next generation of HPC advancements.