GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) allows businesses and developers to access powerful GPUs through the cloud without buying and maintaining costly hardware. The model provides flexible, scalable computing for AI training, inference and other demanding workloads.

The process helps customers reduce upfront infrastructure costs and avoid operational complexity associated with building their own AI infrastructure. The growing popularity of AI-native cloud providers is reinforcing this trend.

For example, CoreWeave CRWV shares surged about 15% in extended trading Tuesday after the AI infrastructure provider reported second-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street expectations.

Revenues of the company soared 112% year over year to $2.58 billion in Q2. The company reported a quarterly loss of $1.03 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.13. 

AI Data Centers Fuel GPU Demand

The rapid expansion of GPUaaS is closely tied to the buildout of AI-focused data centers. Unlike conventional facilities, AI data centers are designed to accommodate extremely high-density GPU clusters, advanced networking and sophisticated cooling and power systems.

The rapid growth of generative AI and large language models is fueling demand for specialized AI data centers. As AI workloads become more complex, cloud providers and specialized data center operators are racing to add additional GPU capacity.

Neoclouds Expand the AI Infrastructure Market

The growth of GPUaaS is also creating opportunities for so-called neocloud providers, which focus specifically on AI workloads and GPU-intensive computing. Companies such as CoreWeave and Nebius are expanding capacity and securing long-term agreements with major technology customers.

This specialized model can complement the services of traditional hyperscalers by providing customers with dedicated GPU capacity, flexible deployment options and infrastructure optimized for demanding AI workloads.

Why Do Neocloud Providers Stand to Benefit?

Neocloud providers normally lock in multi-year compute contracts, generating a steadier, more predictable revenue stream than the on-demand model of traditional cloud.

Morgan Stanley estimates roughly $2.9 trillion in global data center construction through 2028, driven by compute demand that vastly exceeds supply, as quoted by Roundhill Investments. As a result, Roundhill Investments just launched a pure-play ETF on the neocloud theme NCLD.

Inside the Newly-Launched Neocloud ETF

The newly-launched NCLD ETF hit the market on Aug. 6, 2026. The fund has about 20 stocks in its portfolio. Coreweave and Nebius boast the top two spots in the fund, with a respective weight of 29.17% and 28.22%. United States Treasury Bill takes the third spot with about 19.95% exposure. The fund charges 65 bps in fees. It is an actively-managed fund.

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CoreWeave Inc. (CRWV): Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research