The Samsung-backed flash storage company, which closed a round valuing it at $3bn in April 2014, has begun talks with banks and plans to float later this year.

Pure Storage, a US-based flash storage technology provider which counts electronics manufacturer Samsung as an investor, is preparing for an initial public offering, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

The company has tapped investment banks Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Barclays to lead the IPO, which would take place later this year, according to people familiar with the matter.

Founded in 2009, Pure Storage manufactures flash array storage equipment for data centres that is faster than disk-based storage systems. Its sales reportedly…