Intel to invest $15m more in AI chip startup SambaNova

Intel plans to invest another US$15 million in SambaNova, a chip startup chaired by Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, a move that would lift Intel’s stake to 9% pending regulatory approval, corporate records reviewed by Reuters show.

The planned funding follows a US$35 million Intel investment in February that raised its ownership to 8.2% from 6.8% last year.

Intel’s late March securities filing said it had four Tan-affiliated investments large enough to disclose, which Reuters identified as SambaNova, OPAQUE Systems, EPIC Microsystems, and 3D Glass Solutions.

Intel said it has board oversight and conflict-of-interest policies and that it already held stakes in three of the four companies before Tan became CEO.

🔗 Source: Reuters

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Implications, context, and why it matters.

Intel’s conflict policies face scrutiny as board members weigh deal-related risks

Intel’s conflict-of-interest rules came into focus after questions about CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s outside investments and possible deal conflicts 1.
In summer 2025, Tan floated an Intel purchase of Rivos, an AI chip startup where he was chairman and had a personal stake 2.
Intel’s board turned down the idea due to the conflict and because it did not see a strong AI plan behind the purchase 2.
Intel requires Tan to step out of investment decisions where he could benefit personally, with CFO David Zinsner taking authority and the board or audit committee providing oversight 1.
This issue gained weight after Tan stopped work on spinning off Intel Capital and moved the venture group under his direct control, with an investment committee reported to include Tan plus Zinsner 2.

Intel’s growing SambaNova stake may help AI inference goals, while adding governance and political risk

Intel intends to put another US$15 million into SambaNova, chaired by Tan, which could raise Intel’s stake to about 9% pending regulatory approval, based on corporate records reviewed by Reuters.
A February Intel investment of US$35 million lifted ownership to 8.2% from 6.8% last year, and the firms also announced a strategic collaboration that month.
SambaNova says its SN50 chip runs about three times more efficiently than Nvidia’s B200 on certain AI inference workloads 3.
Tan’s past investments in Chinese firms, including some alleged to have military links, drew scrutiny from Senator Tom Cotton and President Donald Trump, who called for Tan’s resignation 4, 5.
The pushback fueled doubts about Intel’s access to nearly $8 billion in CHIPS and Science Act subsidies (a US law that provides incentives for domestic semiconductor manufacturing) and tied into Intel’s defense work, including a roughly $3 billion Department of Defense contract and involvement in the federal Secure Enclave initiative (a government program designed to protect highly sensitive computing environments) 5, 4.