Nvidia is a company that has truly embraced the AI revolution, and its success in this field is evident through its impressive revenue, profitability, and cash reserves. Since the launch of ChatGPT over two years ago, Nvidia has seen a significant increase in its fortunes, with its stock price soaring more than eightfold. This success has allowed Nvidia to ramp up its investments in various startups, particularly in the AI sector.
In 2024, Nvidia significantly increased its venture capital activity, participating in 49 funding rounds for AI companies, a notable increase from the previous years. This surge in investment showcases Nvidia’s commitment to supporting startups that are considered to be “game changers and market makers” in the AI industry.
While Nvidia is not the only tech giant investing in AI startups, it has been the most active in the past two years. Compared to other companies like Alphabet and Microsoft, Nvidia has been involved in a higher number of deals, demonstrating its dedication to fostering innovation in the AI ecosystem.
Some of the notable startups that have received funding from Nvidia include OpenAI, xAI, Inflection, Wayve, Safe Superintelligence, Scale AI, Crusoe, Figure AI, Mistral AI, Cohere, Perplexity, Poolside, CoreWeave, Sakana AI, Imbue, Waabi, Ayar Labs, Kore.ai, Weka, Runway, Bright Machines, Vast Data, and Enfabrica. These startups cover a wide range of AI applications, from autonomous driving and data labeling services to AI reasoning and coding systems.
Overall, Nvidia’s investments in these startups reflect its commitment to driving innovation and advancement in the AI industry. By backing these companies, Nvidia is not only supporting their growth but also contributing to the development of cutting-edge technologies that have the potential to shape the future of AI.