Nvidia has already committed $40B to equity AI deals this year
Nvidia continues to be a major investor in the AI ecosystem, committing more than $40 billion to equity investments in AI companies — and that's just in these early months of 2026, according to CNBC.
Key Investment Highlights
- $30 billion investment in OpenAI - The single largest bet from Nvidia's investment portfolio
- Seven multi-billion dollar investments in publicly traded companies announced
- Recent deals include:
- Up to $3.2 billion in glassmaker Corning
- Up to $2.1 billion in data center operator IREN
Investment Activity Overview
- 67 venture deals completed in 2025 in AI startups
- Around two dozen investment rounds in private startups already participated in during 2026
- Nvidia has been actively building its AI ecosystem through strategic investments in both public companies and startups
The Circular Investment Debate
The fact that Nvidia has been investing in some of its own customers has led to recurring criticism that these are circular deals moving money back-and-forth between the same companies.
Wedbush Securities analyst Matthew Bryson noted that Nvidia's investments fall "squarely into the circular investment theme," but suggested that if successful, they could help the company build a "competitive moat."
Image Credits: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg / Getty Images