Image Credit: Yahoo! Japan
On September 4, Sakana AI, a Tokyo-based generative AI startup founded just a year ago, announced a significant investment from NVIDIA, the US semiconductor giant renowned for its dominance in AI semiconductor technology. This strategic investment is expected to substantially elevate Sakana AI’s status in the global tech landscape.
Sakana AI has reportedly raised approximately 20 billion yen through this latest funding round, though the specific amount contributed by NVIDIA remains undisclosed. The investment is anticipated to make NVIDIA a major shareholder in the burgeoning AI company. This follows Sakana AI’s initial funding round in January, during which it secured around 4.5 billion yen from NTT and other investors. Consequently, Sakana AI has reached “unicorn” status, with its valuation surpassing 1 billion dollars (about 145 billion yen).
NVIDIA’s move underscores its strategic interest in expanding its influence over the AI sector. The company, which holds roughly 80% of the global market share for graphic processing units (GPUs) used in data centers, continues to lead in AI semiconductor technology. Sakana AI’s access to NVIDIA’s latest GPUs on a priority basis is expected to enhance its capabilities in developing and operating advanced AI solutions.
This investment positions Sakana AI to leverage NVIDIA’s technological prowess and market reach, accelerating its growth and reinforcing its competitive edge in the global AI industry. The partnership signifies a notable development in the intersection of Japanese innovation and American semiconductor strength, promising significant advancements in AI technology and applications.