Nvidia’s AI Empire: The Top Startup Investments Powering the Future

Nvidia has taken center stage in the artificial intelligence revolution. With soaring revenues and skyrocketing stock prices, the tech giant is aggressively investing in AI startups to expand its influence in the AI ecosystem. Let’s explore Nvidia’s most significant AI startup investments, from billion-dollar rounds to emerging game-changers.

Nvidia’s AI Investment Boom

Since the introduction of ChatGPT, Nvidia has ramped up its venture capital activity at an unprecedented rate. In 2024, the company participated in 49 funding rounds for AI startups nearly doubling the 34 rounds from the previous year. The momentum has continued into 2025, with seven investments already recorded. Nvidia’s corporate investing strategy focuses on backing startups it considers “game changers and market makers.”

Billion-Dollar AI Investments

OpenAI: A Game-Changing Partnership

Nvidia entered OpenAI’s cap table in October 2024, contributing $100 million to a massive $6.6 billion funding round. With OpenAI valued at $157 billion, Nvidia’s stake marks a strategic move into cutting-edge generative AI.

xAI: Elon Musk’s AI Vision

Elon Musk’s xAI secured a $6 billion investment round, with Nvidia joining as a key backer. This investment highlights Nvidia’s commitment to multiple AI powerhouses, including competitors of OpenAI.

Inflection: A Bold but Uncertain Bet

In 2023, Nvidia participated in Inflection AI’s $1.3 billion round. However, Microsoft later acquired its key personnel, leaving the startup’s future uncertain.

Wayve: Advancing Autonomous Driving

Nvidia invested in U.K.-based Wayve’s $1.05 billion funding round. The startup is developing self-learning AI for autonomous vehicles, with ongoing tests in the U.K. and San Francisco.

Scale AI: Powering AI Model Training

In May 2024, Nvidia joined Amazon, Meta, and Accel in a $1 billion investment in Scale AI. The San Francisco-based company specializes in data-labeling services for AI model training.

Hundreds of Millions in AI Funding

Crusoe: Sustainable AI Data Centers

Nvidia participated in Crusoe’s $686 million funding round. The startup builds AI-powered data centers leased to Oracle, Microsoft, and OpenAI.

Figure AI: The Future of AI Robotics

Figure AI raised a $675 million Series B round in February 2024, backed by Nvidia, OpenAI, and Microsoft. The robotics company is valued at $2.6 billion.

Mistral AI: Europe’s Leading LLM Startup

Nvidia doubled down on Mistral AI, investing in its $640 million Series B round. The French startup specializes in large language model (LLM) development and is valued at $6 billion.

Lambda: AI Cloud Services Powered by Nvidia

AI cloud provider Lambda secured a $480 million Series D round in February 2024. Nvidia’s investment supports Lambda’s GPU-powered AI model training infrastructure.

Cohere: Enterprise AI Solutions

Cohere, an enterprise-focused AI model provider, raised $500 million in June 2024. Nvidia first backed Cohere in 2023 and continues to support its growth.

Perplexity: AI Search Engine Innovation

Nvidia has invested in every funding round of Perplexity since 2023. The AI search engine startup raised a $500 million round in December 2024, reaching a $9 billion valuation.

CoreWeave: AI Cloud Computing Disruptor

CoreWeave raised $221 million in April 2023. Since then, its valuation has surged from $2 billion to $19 billion, positioning it as a leader in AI cloud computing.

Together AI: Cloud-Based AI Infrastructure

Together AI secured a $305 million Series B in February 2024. The cloud-based AI model provider is valued at $3.3 billion, with Nvidia as a key investor.

Sakana AI: Japan’s Rising AI Startup

Nvidia invested in Sakana AI’s $214 million Series A round in September 2024. The Japan-based startup develops cost-efficient generative AI models using small datasets.

Imbue: AI for Reasoning and Coding

In September 2023, Imbue raised $200 million from Nvidia and other investors. The AI lab focuses on developing models with advanced reasoning and coding capabilities.

Waabi: The Future of Autonomous Trucking

Waabi, an autonomous trucking AI company, raised $200 million in June 2024. Nvidia joined Uber, Volvo, and Porsche in supporting its growth.

AI Investments Over $100 Million

Ayar Labs: AI Hardware Advancements

Ayar Labs raised $155 million in December 2024 to develop optical interconnects for AI processing efficiency. Nvidia has backed the startup three times.

Kore.ai: AI-Powered Enterprise Chatbots

In December 2023, Kore.ai secured $150 million to develop AI-driven enterprise chatbots. Nvidia participated alongside Vistara Growth and FTV Capital.

Hippocratic AI: AI in Healthcare

Nvidia invested in Hippocratic AI’s $141 million Series B round in January 2024. The startup builds AI models for healthcare applications, such as pre-op procedures and patient monitoring.

Weka: AI Data Management

AI-native data platform Weka raised $140 million in May 2024, securing Nvidia’s backing. The company is valued at $1.6 billion.

Runway: AI for Content Creation

Runway raised $141 million in June 2023 for AI-driven multimedia tools. Nvidia joined Google and Salesforce in funding the startup.

Bright Machines: AI-Driven Robotics

Nvidia participated in Bright Machines’ $126 million Series C round in June 2024. The startup specializes in smart robotics for manufacturing.

Enfabrica: AI Networking Innovation

Enfabrica raised $125 million in September 2023 for AI networking chip development. Nvidia contributed to the round, which aimed at optimizing AI hardware efficiency.

Conclusion

Nvidia’s aggressive AI investment strategy is shaping the future of the industry. From billion-dollar AI giants like OpenAI and xAI to emerging startups like Together AI and Sakana AI, Nvidia is betting big on AI’s transformative potential. As the AI revolution accelerates, Nvidia’s strategic investments will continue to redefine the technological landscape.