NVIDIA LAUNCHES 'GPU VENTURES PROGRAM'
Through the GPU Ventures Program, Nvidia intends to evaluate companies that leverage the GPU for both professional and consumer applications. Investments are expected to range from $500K to $5 million, and strategic partnerships are expected to span joint marketing, joint development, product distribution and beyond.
"The GPU Ventures Program represents a huge opportunity for young ambitious companies basing their businesses around the GPU,” explains Jeff Herbst, VP of business development at Nvidia. “These companies are the innovators that will fuel the continued growth of the GPU platform. Through this program we will provide financial, marketing and other support to help start-up companies realize their full potential and we strongly encourage interested entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and others to reach out to us with their ideas."
Elemental Technologies, Acceleware, Keyhole Corporation (acquired by Google for Google Earth), Mental Images (acquired by Nvidia), MotionDSP and Right Hemisphere are all companies that Nvidia has invested in. They were among 60 other start-ups that met with key figures in the investment and technical community at Nvidia’s 2008 Emerging Companies Summit. A 2009 summit is being planed for the Fall.