Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) is in discussions to invest roughly $2.5 billion in Thinking Machines Lab, an artificial intelligence startup founded by former OpenAI executive Mira Murati, according to a report on Thursday.
In addition to the potential Nvidia infusion, the startup is reportedly negotiating a broader fundraising round to raise at least $1 billion at a valuation of about $40 billion. Those talks were described as ongoing and involve other investors besides Nvidia.
The prospective investment would build on an existing commercial relationship between the two companies. In March, Nvidia announced a partnership with Thinking Machines Lab that included both an investment component and plans to deliver at least 1 gigawatt of next-generation AI systems to the startup.
Observers note that the discussions reflect Nvidia's strategy of placing capital across the artificial intelligence ecosystem as demand for its processors remains strong. Over the past two years Nvidia has backed more than 100 AI startups, a tally reported by TechCrunch.
It is important to emphasize that sources cautioned the talks may not necessarily culminate in a definitive agreement. The parties continue to negotiate, and the outcome remains uncertain.
Context and implications
The reported Nvidia discussions would extend a commercial and financial relationship that began with the March partnership announcement. Delivering a gigawatt of next-generation AI systems signals a substantial hardware commitment, while the proposed equity investment would represent a significant capital endorsement of Thinking Machines Lab.
For now, the market-facing details remain limited to the reported investment size, the startup's fundraising target and valuation, the pre-existing March partnership, and the caveat that the talks are not guaranteed to result in a deal.