Groq, a leading AI inference platform, has launched its first European data center in Helsinki, Finland, in partnership with Equinix. This strategic expansion addresses the surging demand for AI inference services in Europe, offering low-latency, cost-effective solutions for enterprises.
Groq opens first European data center in Helsinki, Finland.
Partnership with Equinix enhances AI inference capabilities.
Helsinki facility ensures low latency and strong data governance.
Supports over 20 million tokens per second globally.
Leverages Finland’s sustainable energy and cooling advantages.
Enables enterprises to access GroqCloud via secure connections.
Groq’s new Helsinki data center, developed with Equinix, strengthens its global network, building on existing facilities in the U.S., Canada, and Saudi Arabia. The facility addresses Europe’s growing need for AI inference, enabling faster response times and robust data governance for enterprises. This move aligns with the region’s push for sovereign AI, ensuring data processing complies with local regulations like GDPR.
“As demand for AI inference continues at an ever-increasing pace, we know that those building fast need more – more capacity, more efficiency, and with a cost that scales,” said Jonathan Ross, CEO and Founder of Groq. “With our new European data center, customers get the lowest latency possible and infrastructure ready today. We’re unlocking developer ambition now, not months from now.”
Finland’s sustainable energy policies, reliable power grid, and natural cooling make Helsinki an ideal location for AI infrastructure. The data center leverages these advantages to deliver efficient, scalable AI inference. Equinix’s vendor-neutral connectivity integrates Groq’s Language Processing Units (LPUs) with platforms like AWS and Google Cloud, enabling seamless access for businesses.
“There is no doubt AI is front of mind for businesses across Europe; and the Nordics is a great place to host AI infrastructure,” said Regina Donato Dahlström, Managing Director for the Nordics at Equinix. “Combining Groq’s cutting-edge technology with Equinix’s global infrastructure and vendor-neutral connectivity solutions enables efficient AI inference at scale.”
The Helsinki facility allows Equinix Fabric customers to deploy inference workloads to GroqCloud over secure, private connections, bypassing the public internet. This ensures compliance with Europe’s data sovereignty requirements while delivering high-performance AI capabilities. Groq’s LPUs, designed for real-time inference, offer a cost-effective alternative to GPU-based systems, processing over 20 million tokens per second globally.
Groq’s focus on inference, powered by its custom LPU systems, differentiates it from competitors like Nvidia, who dominate AI training with GPUs. The Helsinki data center, operational within weeks of its announcement, showcases Groq’s agility in deployment. This rapid execution, combined with a $2.8 billion valuation and backing from Samsung and Cisco, positions Groq as a key player in the AI inference market.
The Helsinki launch marks a pivotal step in Groq’s mission to provide scalable, low-cost AI infrastructure. By addressing Europe’s demand for localized, high-performance AI solutions, Groq empowers enterprises to innovate and stay competitive in the evolving AI landscape.
Groq is the AI inference platform designed so customers can build fast, with the unmatched capacity and low cost to scale. Since 2016, Groq has focused exclusively on inference, building a custom LPU and an integrated platform delivered through GroqCloud. Every layer, from silicon to API, is engineered for consistent performance and supported by a resilient supply chain customers can count on. Over 1.8 million developers and Fortune 500 companies trust Groq to build fast and scale smarter.
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