Core AI Holdings and Optimus Tech Launch OptiCore Datacenters to Power AI Research at R1 Universities

Joint venture to deliver secure, high-performance data centers near top research institutions

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:36pm

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Core AI Holdings, a global AI technology and infrastructure company, has announced a joint venture with Optimus Technology Group to create OptiCore data centers. The new venture will focus on developing and operating sovereign AI data centers near the nation's leading research universities, known as R1-designated institutions, to accelerate artificial intelligence and machine learning research.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to meet the highest standards for security and technology, supporting the rapid advancement of predictive modeling, large language models (LLMs), and industry-specific AI applications at some of the most prestigious research institutions in the United States. By delivering data center infrastructure near R1 campuses, OptiCore will position Core AI and Optimus at the forefront of AI infrastructure innovation.

The details

OptiCore Datacenters will leverage Optimus' expertise in secure, high-performance data centers to provide the advanced infrastructure required to accelerate AI and machine learning research. The joint venture will target the 187 R1-designated universities across the U.S., which are recognized for their very high research activity and significant government and industry partnerships. Many of these institutions are active participants in mission-critical, federally funded projects through agencies like DARPA, providing access to billions in government defense research dollars.

  • The joint venture was announced on March 12, 2026.

The players

Core AI Holdings, Inc.

A global AI technology and infrastructure company focused on identifying, developing and scaling AI-driven businesses.

Optimus Technology Group

A certified minority-owned IT and advisory firm headquartered in Austin, Texas, serving clients from small and medium-sized businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises with secure, agile, and innovative technology solutions.

Aitan Zacharin

CEO of Core AI Holdings, Inc.

Sam Torerio

CEO of Optimus Technology Group.

DARPA

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the U.S. Department of Defense's research arm responsible for breakthrough technologies with both military and civilian applications.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited for this opportunity to collaborate with Optimus and bring next-generation data center infrastructure to the nation's most advanced research institutions.”

— Aitan Zacharin, CEO of Core AI Holdings, Inc. (Globe Newswire)

“With decades of experience supporting clients from SMBs to Fortune 500 enterprises, Optimus is uniquely positioned to identify and deliver the data center solutions that R1 institutions require with the highest standards of security, compliance and technological performance.”

— Sam Torerio, CEO of Optimus Technology Group (Globe Newswire)

What’s next

The joint venture plans to begin developing and operating the OptiCore data centers near R1 universities in the coming months to support the advancement of AI research at these leading institutions.

The takeaway

This partnership between Core AI Holdings and Optimus Technology Group aims to position the companies at the forefront of AI infrastructure innovation, enabling researchers at the nation's top research universities to drive breakthroughs in predictive modeling, generative AI, and practical applications of this transformative technology.