Intel Plans $15M Investment in SambaNova, AI Chip Startup Chaired by Intel CEO Tan

Intel Corp. is planning to invest approximately $15 million in SambaNova Systems, an artificial intelligence chip and software startup whose board is chaired by Intel chief executive Lip-Bu Tan, according to documents reviewed by Reuters. The investment raises governance questions given that Tan chairs SambaNova while simultaneously leading Intel, which competes directly with AI chip makers in the data center market. Intel did not immediately comment on how it plans to manage the potential conflict of interest. SambaNova, founded in 2017 by former Stanford professors and researchers, develops AI inference chips and software aimed at enterprise customers looking to run large language models on-premises. The company has positioned itself as an alternative to Nvidia for organizations with strict data residency or latency requirements. The $15 million commitment from Intel would be a relatively small investment by chip industry standards but carries strategic significance. Intel's Foundry Services division has been pursuing AI chip design work, and SambaNova's architecture expertise could inform that effort. The investment would also reinforce Tan's existing ties to the startup he helped guide before taking over Intel's top job. Tan joined Intel as CEO in early 2024, bringing a background in semiconductor venture investing and chip design. His prior board roles at multiple semiconductor startups have drawn periodic scrutiny from Intel governance observers. SambaNova has raised more than $1 billion in venture funding from investors including BlackRock, Intel Capital in prior rounds, Google, and Walden International. The company's revenue and valuation details are not publicly disclosed.