ASML’s $1.5B Investment Makes It Largest Stakeholder in Mistral AI

Dutch semiconductor giant ASML Holding is investing $1.5 billion in French AI startup Mistral AI, securing its position as the largest shareholder and a board seat. The funding round, totaling $2 billion, elevates Mistral’s valuation to $11.7 billion—cementing its status as Europe’s most valuable AI firm.

Mistral, founded by ex-Google and Meta researchers, aims to reduce Europe’s reliance on U.S. and Chinese AI models. The company already counts Nvidia among its backers, having raised $6 billion in a Series B round last year.

ASML’s strategic bet underscores the growing convergence of semiconductor and AI technologies. The firm supplies critical chipmaking equipment to industry leaders like Taiwan Semiconductor, positioning it to capitalize on the AI hardware boom.