RunPod is a startup that offers a globally distributed GPU cloud platform for developing and deploying AI applications into production quickly and at scale. They have recently raised $20 million in seed funding from Dell Technologies Capital and Intel Capital. The rise of specialized AI cloud platforms, such as RunPod, highlights the increasing demand for optimized compute resources, flexibility, and scalability in handling the unique demands of AI workloads. Other startups in this space, like CoreWeave, have also attracted significant investment in recent months.