Supercomputer start-up nets $21 million

Supercomputing start-up SiCortex has completed a second funding round, netting $21 million to build Linux-based cluster systems it plans to show off for the first time on Nov. 13 at the Supercomputing 2006 show, the company said Wednesday. Chevron Technology Ventures' venture capital group, CTTV Investments, led the round, which also drew further funds from all four firms in a first $21 million investment: Polaris Venture Partners, Flagship Ventures, JK&B Capital and Prism Venture Partners.

The Maynard, Mass.-based company is designing Linux clusters, a common technique, but deviates from the norm by using 64-bit processors that consume less power and therefore produce much less waste heat, the company said. Its chairman is Bob Metcalfe, who helped invent Ethernet and who now is a partner at Polaris.