Chipmaker Intel is investing millions into a chip startup with ties to its CEO. A Reuters review of corporate records showed that Intel has planned to invest another $15 million in SambaNova, a chip startup chaired by Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan.
As per Reuters, the investment, subject to regulatory approval, would increase Intel’s ownership of SambaNova to 9%, the review showed, with the backing follows another $35 million that Intel put into SambaNova in February, which, along with other financing, had boosted Intel’s stake in the startup to 8.2%, from 6.8% last year. The companies announced a “strategic collaboration” in February.
What is SambaNova?
SambaNova AI is a U.S.–based artificial intelligence hardware and software startup founded in 2017 by industry veterans with the goal of building next-generation AI computing systems. It focuses on AI inference computing, which means running AI models to generate results rather than training them from scratch. SambaNova’s products include custom chips and systems designed for enterprise AI workloads, integrating purpose-built silicon with optimized software.
READ: Intel to retain networking and communications unit in ongoing restructuring (December 4, 2025)
In February 2026, SambaNova raised $350 million in a Series E funding round led by Vista Equity Partners and Cambium Capital, with participation from Intel Capital. The company also announced a multi-year partnership with Intel aimed at delivering cost-efficient AI inference solutions tailored for enterprise customers. SoftBank Corporation will be the first customer to deploy SambaNova’s SN50 AI chip in its AI data centers in Japan.
SambaNova’s SN50 chip is positioned as a next-generation AI accelerator supporting high-performance inference workloads and scaling within cloud and data center environments. The technology also integrates with SambaNova’s SambaCloud platform, enabling large-scale deployment of generative AI models.
The company competes directly with established AI hardware providers such as Nvidia, especially in markets seeking alternatives optimized for inference tasks.
In a statement, Intel said it “maintains rigorous, well-established governance and conflict-of-interest policies, with active Board oversight to ensure all decisions are made in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.”
“In specialized industries like semiconductors and advanced computing, overlap among long-time investors is expected,” the company said.
Reuters had reported in December 2025 about at least three instances where Intel had chased deals that would benefit Tan, either by exploring bids for Tan-backed startups — including for SambaNova — or investing in them through its venture arm, Intel Capital.
READ: Intel CEO to visit Trump at the White House (August 11, 2025)
The developments surrounding SambaNova AI and Intel illustrate the increasingly complex interplay between innovation, investment, and corporate governance in the technology sector. As AI and advanced computing become central to global competitiveness, companies are navigating a landscape where strategic partnerships and venture investments can accelerate technological progress while also raising questions about oversight and transparency.
The involvement of major industry players like Intel demonstrates how established firms leverage both capital and expertise to support promising startups, enabling them to bring cutting-edge solutions to market faster than would otherwise be possible.
These arrangements highlight the importance of robust governance structures. When executives or board members have overlapping interests in multiple companies, careful attention to policies, oversight, and disclosure is essential to ensure decisions align with the broader interests of shareholders, partners, and the industry as a whole. Observers are increasingly scrutinizing these relationships not only for regulatory compliance but also for the implications they carry in terms of market influence and competitive advantage.