Nvidia(US:NVDA) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-12-26 09:23Core Viewpoint - Nvidia has made its largest acquisition to date, entering a $20 billion technology collaboration agreement with AI chip startup Groq, which includes the integration of Groq's core team into Nvidia [2][11]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The agreement is a non-exclusive licensing deal allowing Nvidia to utilize Groq's inference technology, while Groq will continue to operate as an independent entity under CEO Simon Edwards [4][11]. - This acquisition model, termed "Acqui-hire 2.0," focuses on technology asset transfer and talent acquisition without equity purchase, thereby avoiding antitrust scrutiny [4][11]. - Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang stated that this agreement will enhance Nvidia's capabilities, particularly in AI inference and real-time workloads [11]. Group 2: Groq's Technology and Market Position - Groq's LPU chip, designed specifically for large language models, boasts inference performance improvements of 10 to 100 times compared to conventional GPUs and TPUs, positioning it as a significant competitor to Nvidia's GPU dominance [5][12]. - The global AI inference chip market is projected to reach three times the size of the training market by 2025, indicating a shift in focus within the AI industry [12]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Nvidia currently holds a 90% market share in AI training chips but faces increasing competition in the inference space from companies like Google, Meta, and various startups [12]. - Other tech giants are also pursuing similar acquisition strategies, with companies like Meta and AMD acquiring AI chip startups to bolster their capabilities [13]. Group 4: Financial and Investment Context - Groq has attracted significant investment since its inception, including a recent $750 million round led by firms such as Sequoia Capital and BlackRock, valuing the company at $6.9 billion [6][7]. - Nvidia's cash reserves of $60.6 billion provide a strong financial foundation for such strategic acquisitions, allowing it to eliminate potential competitors while enhancing its technological edge [11].