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Funding Round Brings Together Global Tech Giants and Tier-1 Telecom Operators
ORAN Development Corporation (ODC), a pioneer in AI-Native Radio Access Networks (AI-RAN) and the architect of the U.S.-based Odyssey RAN technology platform, has successfully closed a $45 million Series A funding round, marking a major milestone in the convergence of artificial intelligence and telecommunications.
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The investment was led by a powerful syndicate of global technology and infrastructure leaders, including Booz Allen, Cisco Investments, Nokia, and NVIDIA, alongside Tier-1 telecom operators AT&T, MTN, and Telecom Italia.
The round also includes Phoenix Venture Partners and existing seed investors affiliated with Cerberus Capital Management.
Building the World’s First AI-Native, Open-Architecture RAN Stack
ODC said the funding will accelerate deployment of what it describes as the world’s first AI-native, open-architecture RAN platform—a definitive U.S.-based RAN stack that structurally unifies communications, sensing, and edge intelligence.
The company is currently working with top-tier global customers and expects to significantly ramp commercial engagements through 2026, as operators prepare networks for AI-driven and mission-critical workloads.
At the core of ODC’s vision is the Distributed Compute Grid, an architecture designed to transform traditional cell sites into high-performance AI compute hubs capable of supporting real-time inference, autonomous systems, and next-generation digital services.
NVIDIA Aerial Powers AI-Driven 5G and Beyond
By integrating NVIDIA Aerial RAN Computer Pro, the industry-standard platform for high-performance, software-defined 5G, ODC is enabling Robotic AI-RAN—networks that can autonomously sense, decide, and respond at the wireless edge.
According to ODC, this infrastructure serves as the sovereign fabric of the AI-Native era, allowing networks to orchestrate everything from agentic AI and generative inference to Physical AI applications critical for national infrastructure resilience.
“The industry is moving toward software-defined, AI-native telecom networks, which will be essential for the Physical AI era,” said Ronnie Vasishta, Senior Vice President of Telecom at NVIDIA.
“ODC’s AI-RAN stack turns 5G networks into a distributed AI computing fabric at the wireless edge and creates a strong on-ramp to 6G.”
Cisco, Nokia See AI-RAN as the Future of Mobile Networks
Masum Mir, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cisco Provider Mobility, described AI-RAN as a foundational shift for the digital economy.
“As AI intelligence moves to the edge, the mobile network becomes the central fabric of the digital economy. ODC’s platform goes beyond connectivity to unlock secure, open networks that can support AI workloads and new services,” he said.
Similarly, Pallavi Mahajan, Chief Technology and AI Officer at Nokia, noted that AI is fundamentally reshaping network architecture.
“ODC’s approach reflects where the industry is heading—toward software-driven, AI-ready platforms across 5G and 6G,” she said, adding that Nokia’s investment aligns with its focus on enabling AI-native networks.
MTN Positions AI-RAN as Africa’s Leapfrog Opportunity
For Africa, AI-RAN represents a chance to leapfrog legacy infrastructure, according to Mazen Mroue, CEO of MTN Digital Infrastructure.
“By partnering with ODC, we are enabling advanced, precision-driven digital solutions from major cities to remote rural communities,” he said.
“This is about building a distributed AI compute foundation to accelerate financial inclusion, industrial autonomy, and Sovereign AI across Africa.”
AI-RAN as Critical Infrastructure for National Security
Leonardo Capdeville, Chief Technology Officer at Telecom Italia, said ODC’s platform transforms access networks into seamless extensions of AI, supporting ultra-low-latency, mission-critical applications ranging from robotics to advanced mobility systems.
From a national security standpoint, Bill Vass, Chief Technology Officer at Booz Allen, described ODC as a cornerstone of secure, sovereign infrastructure.
“ODC’s AI-RAN architecture creates a unified nervous system where communication, sensing, and edge compute converge—enabling Sovereign AI at speed and scale,” he said.
SoftBank: A Critical Link Toward Autonomous Intelligence
The announcement also drew attention from SoftBank Corp., a pioneer in AI-RAN research.
“We are moving toward an era where robotics and Artificial Super Intelligence will reshape every industry,” said Ryuji Wakikawa, Vice President and Head of Research Institute of Advanced Technology at SoftBank.
“ODC’s platform provides the low-latency command and control needed to scale autonomous systems globally.”
Scaling Deployment Through 2026
Concluding the announcement, Shaygan Kheradpir, Chairman of ODC, said the Series A funding positions the company to accelerate global deployment of its AI-native infrastructure.
“This is more than a technology rollout—it is a mission to build a U.S.-based nervous system for the physical world,” he said.
“By transforming networks from communication pipes into a Distributed Compute Grid, ODC is enabling everything from industrial robotics to the protection of critical national infrastructure. Our focus now is rapid commercial deployment throughout 2026.”
