The once high-flying United Devices, which develops grid computing and
cluster software, has announced that it has merged with a Chicago company, Univa Grid Computing. The combined entity, “Univa UD,” will continue
offer a comprehensive set of cluster and grid solutions based on open source
and proprietary components. According to
Jason Liu, president and chief executive officer of the newly-formed Univa UD, “Customers
will finally get access to industrial-strength open source products that are
both proven and cost-effective. Our combined technology and implementation
expertise, as well as the breadth of the solution set, represent the
alternative to traditional offerings that customers have been waiting for.” The combined company expects to maintain an
office in Austin,
and that United Devices CEO Ben Rouse will remain as a consultant to the
combined company.

United Devices had raised over $45 million in venture funding from well-known
investors, including AGF Private Equity, Mobius Venture Capital, Constellation
Ventures and Oak Investment Partners. Univa
has raised venture financing from ARCH Venture Partners and New World Ventures.