ASML Fuels Europe’s Largest AI Partnership with €1.3B Investment in Mistral AI
Dutch semiconductor equipment titan ASML has forged a historic €1.3 billion investment in French AI startup Mistral AI. This monumental move makes ASML the largest shareholder with an 11% stake, marking Europe’s most significant AI industry partnership to date.
The investment forms part of Mistral’s €1.7 billion Series C funding round, catapulting the French company’s valuation to a staggering €11.7 billion ($13.8 billion). This makes Mistral AI Europe’s most valuable AI startup, more than doubling its previous valuation of €5.8 billion achieved just last year. This underscores the rapid escalation in AI investment.
The strategic alliance aims to incorporate Mistral’s advanced AI models into ASML’s lithography equipment manufacturing processes. This integration could potentially revolutionize chip production efficiency. ASML, the sole producer of the world’s extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, plays a crucial role in manufacturing the most advanced semiconductors used in AI applications.
ASML Chief Financial Officer Roger Dassen will join Mistral’s strategic committee board, granting ASML direct influence over the AI company’s future technology decisions. This collaboration signifies a significant stride towards European technological sovereignty, reducing reliance on U.S. and Chinese AI ecosystems.
Other participants in the funding round include existing investors Nvidia, DST Global, Andreessen Horowitz, and General Catalyst. Their continued involvement demonstrates sustained confidence in Mistral’s position as Europe’s answer to OpenAI.
Source: ASML Official Press Release