Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company, is in advanced talks to pump $500 million (£400m) into Wayve, a UK-based self-driving car start-up.
The fresh investment follows the company’s participation in Wayve’s record $1.1bn funding round last year alongside Microsoft, which was the largest ever for a European AI business.
The new funding commitment was unveiled during an event in London coinciding with President Trump’s state visit, where Nvidia pledged £2bn in UK start-up investments spanning AI and fintech. Beneficiaries include digital bank Revolut and video AI company Synthesia.
Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s chief executive, told an audience of tech leaders and investors that he expects the UK’s first trillion-dollar company will be an AI business.
Wayve, founded in London, is developing AI-powered systems to help vehicles interpret surroundings and navigate without human input. The company is also backed by SoftBank, Uber and Eclipse Ventures.
Alex Kendall, Wayve’s co-founder and chief executive, said: “Support from Nvidia underscores confidence in our approach to AI and its potential to transform the future of mobility.”
Alongside Wayve, Nvidia also announced a £500m investment in Nscale, an AI infrastructure start-up that Huang said could become a “national champion for the UK”, forecasting potential cumulative revenues of £50bn within six years.
The state visit has triggered a wave of American capital commitments totalling £150bn, including a £90bn pledge from Blackstone and up to £1.5bn from Palantir, the data analytics company co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the announcements, saying: “Today we put tech out there as a special feature of the special relationship. Thank you so much, Jensen, for your confidence in what we are doing and your investment.”
For Wayve, Nvidia’s additional $500m backing cements its position as one of Europe’s most promising AI mobility ventures, strengthening its ability to compete globally. For the UK, the flurry of announcements highlights its growing status as a hub for AI investment, even as it navigates challenges around regulation, skills and infrastructure.
