Nvidia makes direct investments in four Korean AI and robotics startups

Direct capital for Korean AI

Nvidia surprised the industry at its AI Day Seoul event by announcing direct investments in four specific Korean startups. The recipients include Point2 Technology, which works on wireless interconnect components for data centers, and Upstage and Motif Technologies, both of which focus on large language models (LLMs). The fourth startup, Realworld, specializes in robot foundation models.

Unlike previous interactions where Nvidia might have used its venture arm, NVentures, these deals are structured as direct investments from the company itself. This move highlights a strategic interest in the specific technologies these Korean firms are developing. By providing capital, Nvidia is moving from a hardware supplier role to a more integrated partner in the startup lifecycle.

The investment is expected to energize the local startup ecosystem by providing a stamp of approval from the global leader in AI chips. Industry observers suggest this could lead to a significant heating up of hiring conditions within the AI and robotics fields in Korea. It marks a transition from providing tools to actively funding the builders who use them.

Expanding the hardware network

Beyond direct investments, Nvidia is also integrating Korean hardware into its broader technical architecture. Rebellions, a Korean AI chip company, signed an agreement to link its next-generation neural processing unit (NPU) with Nvidia's NVLink Fusion technology. An NPU is a specialized processor designed to accelerate AI tasks, similar to how a GPU handles graphics.

This partnership makes Rebellions the first Korean AI chip company to be officially linked with Nvidia's high-speed interconnect architecture. The goal is to develop a next-generation AI computing system that combines Korean NPUs with Nvidia GPUs. This allows for shared AI computation across different types of hardware, potentially increasing efficiency for large-scale operations.

SK Telecom will play a role in this development by building the combined system at its AI data center to verify performance and stability. Rebellions aims to begin supplying this integrated system by 2028. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to expand this cooperation to other domestic NPU companies to help them enter the global market.

Strategic ties in physical AI

While Nvidia focuses on the software and chip side, other Korean giants are formalizing partnerships to handle the physical side of AI. Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group recently declared a group-level strategic partnership to lead in future industries. This cooperation covers a wide range of technologies, including automotive semiconductors, all-solid-state batteries, and next-generation displays.

The scope of this partnership is specifically expanding into physical AI and robotics. The two companies have already started joint development on batteries dedicated to robots. Samsung is responsible for high-capacity materials and battery design, while Hyundai Motor and Kia are handling the evaluation for robot applications.

This move suggests a move toward a

Bridging the AI skills gap

To support the growing demand for AI expertise, Wanted Lab launched an AI Native Career Camp designed to provide hands-on training for job seekers. The program combines professional mentoring with direct links to hiring opportunities, allowing participants to work on practical projects over several months. Even those in non-developer roles, such as HR and design, are learning to use AI for work automation and service improvements.

The initiative has already shown success, with several trainees securing jobs before the first class even finished. The program also featured a career simulation game that attracted hundreds of users in just two days. By focusing on practical application rather than just theory, these types of programs aim to prepare a diverse workforce for the evolving AI landscape.

New models for workforce growth

The Korean government is also exploring new ways to manage company successions and workforce stability through employee buyouts. A notable example is Korea Engineering Consultants, which saw significant growth after employees contributed funds to acquire the company. Over an eight-year period, the firm increased its revenue by 107% and moved into profitability while expanding its workforce by 55%.

This success story has prompted the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to push for a special law to institutionalize employee buyouts. This could be particularly important for manufacturing and engineering sectors where skilled workers are essential. By allowing employees to jointly secure management control, the government hopes to solve the problem of leadership gaps as founders age.

Expanding into femtech markets

While the AI and robotics sectors see heavy investment, the global femtech market is also projected to see significant growth. However, research shows that women's health has received only about 6% of global private healthcare investment over the last five years. This leaves the sector with severely insufficient funding to meet the growing demand for personalized medical services and AI-based disease risk prediction.

In Korea, the ecosystem for these technologies is still in its early stages, with many companies struggling with sales and product development. There is a growing momentum to build a support system that combines AI, biology, and healthcare. Experts suggest that developing these converged fields is a necessary step to address the needs of women's health on a larger scale.