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TechCrunch
Nvidia has already committed $40B to equity AI deals this year
Nvidia has committed more than $40 billion to equity investments in AI companies in the first months of 2026, according to a CNBC report. The largest single investment is $30 billion in OpenAI, alongside seven multi-billion dollar investments in publicly traded companies, including up to $3.2 billion in Corning and up to $2.1 billion in data center operator IREN. The chipmaker also participated in around two dozen venture rounds in private startups in 2026, continuing its aggressive investment strategy. These deals have drawn criticism over their circular nature—Nvidia invests in its own customers, potentially creating a feedback loop. Wedbush analyst Matthew Bryson noted that while the investments fall into the circular theme, they could help Nvidia build a competitive moat if successful. The scale of commitment underscores Nvidia's dominant position in AI hardware and its strategic push to shape the ecosystem.
ExperimentConfidence: HighMid term horizon
Published 9 May 2026, 16:40 UTC1 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Nvidia committed over $40B to AI equity deals in early 2026.
- Largest single investment: $30B in OpenAI.
- Also invested up to $3.2B in Corning and $2.1B in IREN.
- Participated in roughly two dozen private startup rounds in 2026.
- Critics flag circular investment patterns as Nvidia invests in its customers.
- Analysts suggest successful investments could create a competitive moat.
Interesting facts
- The $40B figure represents just the early months of 2026, implying a potential full-year run rate far higher.
- Nvidia's investment in Corning (a glassmaker) highlights its bet on hardware supply chain infrastructure beyond chips.