Nvidia Pumps $5.5 Billion into European Startups in 2025, a Staggering Leap from Zero in 2020-2021
- Why Did Nvidia Suddenly Bet Big on Europe?
- Which Startups Got the Biggest Checks?
- Beyond AI: Biotech and Fintech Surprises
- The Ripple Effect: Europe’s Tech Stock Boom
- What’s Next for Nvidia’s European Gambit?
- FAQs: Nvidia’s European Startup Spree
In a dramatic shift, Nvidia has gone from zero European startup investments in 2020-2021 to deploying $5.5 billion across the continent in 2025 alone. Through its venture arm NVentures, the chipmaker targeted AI labs, quantum computing projects, and biotech innovators—with France’s Mistral AI securing a whopping $1.7 billion. Meanwhile, European tech stocks soared 37% in dollar terms, outpacing the S&P 500. BlackRock’s Ursula Marchioni calls it "a decade compressed into one year." Below, we break down where the money flowed and why investors are rushing into Europe’s AI ecosystem.
Why Did Nvidia Suddenly Bet Big on Europe?
After sitting out 2020 and 2021 entirely, Nvidia’s European investment spree began quietly with a single deal in 2022. By 2025, it accounted for nearly 20% of NVentures’ global startup bets. The strategy? Dominate the next wave of AI infrastructure. "Europe’s niche isn’t just chatbots—it’s hard tech like photonic chips and quantum systems," notes a BTCC market analyst. Case in point: Germany’s Black Forest Labs (visual AI) and UK-based Quantinuum (quantum computing) collectively raised $900 million with Nvidia’s backing.
Which Startups Got the Biggest Checks?
The crown jewel was France’s Mistral AI. Nvidia doubled down on the OpenAI rival, joining its $1.7 billion Series C at an $13.6 billion valuation. Other mega-deals:
- Nscale (UK): $500M for cloud infrastructure tailored to AI workloads
- Quantinuum (UK): $600M to launch its Helios quantum system
- Lovable (UK): $330M for "vibe programming" tools (yes, that’s a thing)
Fun fact: These three UK startups alone absorbed over $1.4 billion—more than some small EU countries’ annual tech budgets.
Beyond AI: Biotech and Fintech Surprises
Nvidia didn’t just chase GPU-hungry firms. It sprinkled cash across sectors:
| Company | Sector | Investment | Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charm Therapeutics | Biotech | $80M | Undisclosed |
| Revolut | Fintech | Undisclosed | $75B |
| Scintil Photonics | Semiconductors | €50M | Undisclosed |
Source: TradingView, Company Filings
The Ripple Effect: Europe’s Tech Stock Boom
As Nvidia wrote checks, public markets followed. European ETFs sucked in $92 billion in 2025—nearly matching the prior decade’s total inflows. The STOXX 600 jumped 37% in USD terms, crushing the S&P 500’s 18%. Even "boring" sectors like mining and defense rallied. "Investors want AI exposure but fear US valuations," explains Marchioni. With European stocks still 30% cheaper than US peers, the discount shopper’s mentality took hold.
What’s Next for Nvidia’s European Gambit?
While 2025’s $5.5 billion splurge seems extreme, insiders hint at more. NVentures now has scouts in Berlin, Paris, and Cambridge sniffing for "hardware-meets-AI" plays. One target: physics simulation tools like PhysicsX, where Nvidia secured rights to dump another $80 million. As for startups? They’re learning fast. "You used to see founders pitch ‘the Uber of X’," quips a London VC. "Now every deck has ‘Nvidia-compatible’ in bold."
FAQs: Nvidia’s European Startup Spree
How much did Nvidia invest in European startups before 2025?
Zero dollars between 2020-2021, then a gradual ramp-up: 1 deal in 2022, 5 in 2023, and 7 in 2024 before the 2025 explosion.
Which country received the most Nvidia funding?
The UK dominated with investments in Nscale, Quantinuum, CuspAI, and Revolut totaling over $2 billion. France followed closely thanks to Mistral AI’s mega-round.
Did Nvidia’s investments boost European tech stocks?
Indirectly, yes. The STOXX 600’s 37% surge coincided with Nvidia’s spending spree, though broader AI enthusiasm and weaker dollar also played roles.
