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Financial Times
Samsung in talks to invest in Mistral at €20bn valuation
Samsung is in talks to invest approximately €1 billion in the French AI startup Mistral, which could lead to a valuation of around €20 billion. This investment is positioned as part of a broader push by AI developers to form partnerships with semiconductor suppliers as they face unprecedented demand. Mistral aims to provide alternatives to US AI models, especially in light of recent US export controls that have limited access to certain technology. Additionally, the collaboration could enhance Mistral's capabilities in creating 'sovereign AI' solutions that can be tailored and controlled by users, attracting further interest from European and Asian markets.
MonitorConfidence: HighShort term horizonSupply chain risk: High
Published 22 Jul 2026, 04:40 UTC3 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Samsung seeks to invest €1 billion in Mistral, a leading AI startup.
- Mistral's valuation may reach €20 billion in the funding round.
- The investment is part of a strategy to bolster AI alternatives to US models.
- Mistral focuses on open AI models that can be customized by users.
- The rise in AI demand is creating a competitive chip supply landscape.
Interesting facts
- Mistral was previously valued at €12 billion less than a year ago.
- The company's revenue is projected to exceed $1 billion by the end of this year.
- Mistral received €1.7 billion in funding in September primarily from ASML.