British self-driving giant on track for $9bn valuation

Core Insights - Wayve, a British self-driving car pioneer, is set to be valued at $9 billion (£6.6 billion) as it prepares to launch autonomous taxis on UK roads [2] - The company is in discussions to raise over $1 billion in one of the largest funding rounds for a British AI start-up [3][4] - Wayve has secured significant funding from SoftBank and Microsoft, totaling $1 billion in 2024, and is expanding its technology globally [5] Funding and Valuation - Wayve is negotiating a funding round that could exceed $1 billion, with a valuation nearing $9 billion [3][4] - Nvidia is reportedly considering a $500 million investment in Wayve as part of this funding round [4] - The company has already received substantial backing from SoftBank and Microsoft, indicating strong investor confidence [5] Competitive Landscape - Wayve is competing with other tech companies like Waymo, Uber, and Lyft, which are also planning driverless trials in the UK [6][7] - Waymo recently raised $16 billion to expand its robotaxi services, highlighting the aggressive competition in the autonomous vehicle sector [6] - Unlike its competitors, Wayve's technology does not depend on detailed maps, allowing its cars to learn and adapt to new roads autonomously [7] Strategic Partnerships - Wayve has established a partnership with Uber to trial its technology in Uber's vehicles later this year [3][6] - The company is also expanding its testing to international markets, including San Francisco and Germany, and has signed a deal with Nissan to enter Japan [5]