ASML Fuels Europe’s AI Ambitions with €1.3B Investment in Mistral
ASML, the Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer, has strategically invested €1.3 billion in Mistral, a French AI company. This investment makes ASML the largest shareholder of Mistral, holding an 11% stake. The investment is a significant part of Mistral’s €1.7 billion Series C funding round, which values the company at a whopping €11.7 billion. This valuation makes Mistral the most valuable AI startup in Europe.
This partnership signifies a major step towards European technological sovereignty, aiming to reduce the continent’s dependence on American and Chinese AI models. ASML, a key player in semiconductor manufacturing, plans to incorporate Mistral’s AI capabilities into its lithography systems. This integration is expected to enhance efficiency and expedite product development.
“The collaboration between Mistral AI and ASML aims to generate clear benefits for ASML customers through innovative products and solutions enabled by AI,” said ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet.
The deal positions Mistral as Europe’s counterpart to OpenAI. The French startup is developing large language models that compete directly with American AI giants. As part of the agreement, ASML’s CFO, Roger Dassen, will join Mistral’s strategic committee, providing advisory input on future technology decisions.
This investment marks ASML’s first major venture into AI, underscoring the growing convergence between semiconductor manufacturing and artificial intelligence technologies.
Source: Bloomberg