Jensen Huang Exit Shakes AI Startup Funding

Jensen Huang's resignation as Nvidia CEO has alarmed AI startup investors and founders. Under Huang, Nvidia invested in over 105 rounds this year alone, often as the largest backer, funding neoclouds, inference providers, and open-weight model companies with checks of hundreds of millions. Interim CEO Colette Kress is expected to be more conservative, reducing early-stage commitments. Investors warn this will hurt valuations, dealmaking, and the broader AI ecosystem. While Big Tech rivals may fill some gaps for mature startups, few expect anyone to replicate Nvidia's willingness to back pre-revenue infrastructure companies at billion-dollar valuations.