Core Insights - The article highlights the emergence of Applied Digital (APLD) and CoreWeave (CRWV) as key players in the AI infrastructure market, transitioning from legacy models to focus on high-performance computing (HPC) and AI-optimized data centers [2][3] - Both companies are positioned to benefit from increasing enterprise and hyperscaler demand for GPU-powered infrastructure [2] Applied Digital Overview - Applied Digital reported third-quarter fiscal 2025 revenues of $52.9 million, showing a significant year-over-year increase as it transitions from a crypto-hosting model to HPC and AI infrastructure [4] - Fiscal 2025 revenues for APLD are projected to exceed $200 million, supported by diverse revenue streams including traditional data center hosting, AI cloud infrastructure, and a growing HPC segment [5] - The company's Ellendale campus, its flagship AI data center, has started onboarding customers, marking a pivotal moment for recurring revenue growth [5] - APLD is focusing on developing liquid-cooled, high-density data centers optimized for AI workloads, which have attracted clients needing compute-heavy infrastructure [6] - Long-term contracts with AI service providers are being signed to enhance revenue visibility and reduce volatility, alongside disciplined capital expenditures and a shift towards higher-margin services [7] CoreWeave Overview - CoreWeave achieved first-quarter 2025 revenues of $438 million, a fourfold increase year-over-year, driven by strong demand for AI workloads [9] - The company operates 33 purpose-built AI data centers across the U.S. and Europe, with industry-leading GPU availability attracting enterprise-grade clients [10] - Exclusive long-term contracts with AI-native firms and research labs provide revenue stability and visibility, while investments in custom orchestration software enhance operational efficiency [11] - Management projects 2025 revenues to reach $5 billion, supported by onboarding large AI clients and expanding GPU capacity [12] Market Performance and Valuation - Over the past three months, APLD shares have increased by 154.7%, while CRWV shares have surged by 265.9% [14] - APLD trades at a forward sales multiple of 8.37, while CRWV's forward sales multiple is at 8.11, reflecting high growth expectations and improving profitability for both companies [15] Investment Outlook - APLD presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking early-stage growth with significant upside potential, leveraging its diversified revenue model and disciplined capex strategy [19] - In contrast, CRWV may face valuation saturation due to its already scaled operations [19] - For investors looking to enter the AI infrastructure space, APLD is positioned as a more attractive growth story with potential for outperformance [20]