Intel is doubling down on artificial intelligence hardware with a fresh investment in SambaNova Systems, signaling continued confidence in the fast-growing AI chip startup. According to Reuters, Intel plans to put an additional US$15 million into SambaNova, a move that would raise Intel’s ownership to roughly 9% once regulatory approval is secured.
This latest funding follows Intel’s earlier US$35 million investment made in February. That previous round pushed Intel’s stake to 8.2%, up from 6.8% a year earlier, and also helped formalize a strategic collaboration between the two companies. In other words, Intel isn’t just investing for financial upside—it’s strengthening ties that could shape how both companies compete in the increasingly crowded AI computing market.
With AI chips and specialized processors becoming central to everything from enterprise data centers to next-generation machine learning workloads, Intel’s increased stake in SambaNova highlights how established semiconductor players are looking beyond in-house development. Strategic investments like this can accelerate access to new architectures, talent, and product roadmaps, especially as demand surges for more efficient AI training and inference solutions.
While the deal still depends on regulatory clearance, the direction is clear: Intel is positioning itself more aggressively in AI hardware by expanding its relationship with SambaNova, reinforcing a partnership that began gaining momentum earlier this year.
