NVIDIA to Invest in Companies Developing for the GPU

NVIDIA, the Santa Clara, California-based graphics chip maker, has just announced the launch of a new program, titled the GPU Ventures Program, meant to identify, support and then invest in early stage companies that are using the GPU to develop visual and other computing applications. With the public statement, the graphics chip maker has also launched the Venture Zone website, a portal designed to enable computer users worldwide to get a glimpse of the innovative GPU applications being developed by the program's partners.

“The GPU Ventures Program represents a huge opportunity for young ambitious companies basing their businesses around the GPU. These companies are the innovators that will fuel the continued growth of the GPU platform,” Jeff Herbst, vice president of business development at NVIDIA, said. “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.”

According to NVIDIA, businesses that will use the GPU performance to develop both consumer and professional applications for areas that include video and image enhancement, scientific discovery, financial analysis and 3D interfaces, will be able to enter the GPU Ventures Program. This will enable NVIDIA to evaluate those companies and their products and then invest from US$500,000 to US$5 million, depending on the nature of the partnership between the former and the latter.

Elemental Technologies is just one of the many companies where NVIDIA has invested, allowing them to successfully enter the market and gain recognition. Other names include Acceleware, Keyhole Corporation (acquired by Google for Google Earth), Mental Images (acquired by NVIDIA), MotionDSP and Right Hemisphere.

Other firms that are interested in the program and want to submit a business plan can contact NVIDIA or visit the GPU Venture Zone website for more information.