Figure AI, also backed by ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and Microsoft, is
raising about $675 million in a funding round that carries a
pre-money valuation of about $2 billion, according to the
report.
Bezos had committed $100 million through his firm Explore
Investments LLC and Microsoft is investing $95 million, while
Nvidia and an Amazon-affiliated fund are each providing $50
million, the report added.
Investments in artificial intelligence startups have sparked
after the launch of OpenAI's viral chatbot ChatGPT in November
2022, as investors sense an opportunity, betting on these
startups that they might outpace bigger rivals.
OpenAI, which at one point considered acquiring Figure, is
investing $5 million, the report added.
Backers include Intel's venture capital arm, LG Innotek,
Samsung's investment group, as well as venture firms Parkway
Venture Capital and Align Ventures, the report added.
ARK Venture Fund, Aliya Capital Partners and Tamarack are also
among investors in the startup, according to the report.
Amazon, Nvidia, Microsoft and Intel declined to comment, while
other names mentioned in the report, including Figure AI, did
not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
Last year, Sunnyvale, California-based Figure, which develops
general-purpose humanoid robots that could work in different
environments and handle a variety of tasks from warehouses to
retail, raised $70 million from investors led by Parkway Venture
Capital in its first external round.
(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju
Samuel)
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