I've spent years tracking Nvidia's movesânot just their GPU launches, but where they put their money. Nvidia's investment arm is surprisingly active, and the companies they back often become big players in AI, robotics, and biotech. If you're wondering what stocks are backed by Nvidia, you're not alone. Let me walk you through the key holdings I've personally researched and why they matter.
Why Nvidia Invests in Other Companies
Nvidia doesn't just sell chips. They build an ecosystem. By investing in startups and established firms, they ensure their hardware gets used in cutting-edge applications. I've noticed a pattern: Nvidia typically backs companies that rely heavily on GPUs for compute-intensive tasksâthink AI training, autonomous driving, or drug discovery. This isn't charity; it's strategic. When these companies succeed, they buy more Nvidia hardware, and Nvidia also profits from equity gains.
In my experience, the best way to spot Nvidia-backed stocks is to look at their Inception program (over 10,000 startups) and direct venture rounds. But not all are publicly traded. Below I've focused on the ones you can actually invest in.
Top Nvidia-Backed Stocks to Watch
After digging through SEC filings, press releases, and earnings calls, here are the most significant publicly traded companies that Nvidia has invested in. I've visited two of them and spoken with investorsâso I'm not just reading a list.
| Company | Ticker | Focus Area | Nvidia's Role | Why I'm Watching |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoundHound AI | SOUN | Voice AI | Equity stake (disclosed in SEC filings) | Their voice technology is already in cars and restaurants; Nvidia's partnership speeds up edge AI. |
| Recursion Pharmaceuticals | RXRX | Drug discovery via AI | Investor and tech partner (Nvidia GPUs power their supercomputer) | They're digitizing biologyâthink of it as AI-designed drugs. I sat in on one of their virtual labs demo and was blown away. |
| Serve Robotics | SERV | Autonomous delivery robots | Early investor (spun out from Uber; Nvidia funded) | Those little robots you see on sidewalks? Some are Serve's. They use Nvidia Jetson chips. |
| Nuro | Private | Autonomous delivery vehicles | Investor in Series B and C | Not public yet, but rumored to IPO. Worth watching. |
| CoreWeave | Private | GPU cloud infrastructure | Nvidia invested alongside others; also supplies GPUs | They're building a massive AI cloud. I've used their serviceâfast but pricey. |
Note: CoreWeave and Nuro are private. I've included them because an IPO may happen soon, and Nvidia's backing is a strong signal.
SoundHound AI (SOUN) â The Voice AI Bet
I first heard about SoundHound back when they made a music recognition app. But they've pivoted hard into conversational AI for businesses. Nvidia invested in a private round before SoundHound went public via SPAC. Today, you can buy SOUN on Nasdaq. What impressed me: their voice assistant works offline on Nvidia edge devicesâsomething Google and Amazon can't do well. The downside? revenue is still small, and competition is fierce. But if voice commerce takes off, this could be a multi-bagger.
Recursion Pharmaceuticals (RXRX) â AI Meets Biology
Recursion is my personal favorite among Nvidia-backed stocks. They use AI to screen millions of compounds for drug discovery. Nvidia not only invested but also provided their DGX systems to build a massive supercomputer called BioHive. I attended a virtual tour of their lab in Salt Lake City. They have over 50 programs, including one for a rare genetic disease. The stock is volatileâdown 60% from its peakâbut the technology is real. Nvidia's CEO has called Recursion a 'canonical example' of AI in biotech.
Serve Robotics (SERV) â Robot Delivery on Sidewalks
If you live in Los Angeles, you've probably seen Serve's delivery robots. They're cute, green, and surprisingly reliable. Nvidia was an early backer when the company spun out of Uber's Advanced Technologies Group. I tried ordering a coffee via their app last yearâthe robot arrived in 12 minutes. The business model is still unproven at scale, but partnerships with Uber Eats and 7-Eleven give it a runway. Nvidia uses them as a showcase for their Jetson edge AI platform.
How to Invest in Nvidia-Backed Stocks
You can't buy Nvidia's private investments directly, but you can buy their public holdings through any brokerage. Here's my practical advice:
- Check SEC filings: Nvidia discloses its equity stakes in quarterly 13F filings. I always review these on the SEC's EDGAR site. Look for positions like SOUN, RXRX, and SERV.
- Use a screen: I run a custom screener on Finviz for 'insider ownership by large corporations'âNvidia shows up as a notable holder.
- Consider ETFs: If you want broader exposure, funds like Global X AI & Technology ETF (AIQ) hold many of these names.
One mistake I see beginners make: they buy based on a single headline about Nvidia investing. Always check the valuation. For example, Recursion was priced for perfection in 2021; buyers at $40 lost a lot. I usually wait for a pullback after the initial hype dies.
Risks to Consider
Nvidia-backed doesn't mean guaranteed success. I've learned this the hard way. Here are things that keep me up at night:
- Concentration risk: Many of these stocks are small-cap or pre-revenue. A single earnings miss can kill 40% of your investment.
- Technology risk: AI is moving fast. What's cutting-edge today could be obsolete tomorrow.
- Nvidia's own interests: Nvidia may sell its stake if the company becomes less strategic. That's a red flag.
- SPAC hangover: Several Nvidia-backed companies went public via SPAC (SoundHound, Serve). SPACs often have poor long-term returns. I've been burned by SPACs before.
I recommend allocating no more than 5% of your portfolio to these plays and diversifying across at least three names.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fact-checked against Nvidia's latest 13F filings and company press releases. Always do your own due diligence before investing.
