FuriosaAI: In a decisive move that underscores its commitment to innovation, FuriosaAI, a dynamic South Korean startup renowned for crafting cutting-edge chips tailored for artificial intelligence applications, has turned down an $800 million acquisition proposal from tech titan Meta. Instead, FuriosaAI is channeling its energy into the advancement and production of its bespoke AI chips, according to a report from local media sources.
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The negotiations crumbled not over financial terms but due to clashing visions on post-acquisition strategies and structural integration. Like many other technology firms racing to develop large language models (LLMs) for diverse AI functionalities, Meta is eager to diminish its dependence on Nvidia’s specialized chips, crucial for LLM training and construction. Last year, Meta unveiled its proprietary AI chips and pledged up to $65 billion in 2023 to bolster its AI ventures.
Amidst this backdrop, FuriosaAI remains tight-lipped on the matter, with Meta also abstaining from commenting outside conventional business hours. Meanwhile, FuriosaAI is actively engaging with investors to secure approximately $48 million (KRW 70 billion), aiming to finalize this fundraising round within the month.
Established in 2017 by June Paik, an industry veteran with tenures at Samsung Electronics and AMD, FuriosaAI has rolled out two innovative AI chips—Warboy and Renegade (RNGD)—designed to rival giants like Nvidia and AMD. The RNGD chips have successfully completed rigorous testing in collaboration with LG AI Research and Aramco and are lauded as being particularly adept at handling reasoning models. LG AI Research intends to integrate these RNGD chips into its AI infrastructure, with FuriosaAI planning their official launch later this year.
