South Korea's Leading AI Chip Startup FuriosaAI Declines $800M Meta Acquisition Offer
South Korean AI hardware startup FuriosaAI declined an $800M acquisition offer from Meta, opting for an independent growth path despite the bid exceeding its estimated market value by about $300M.
Published on April 8, 2025
FuriosaAI, the South Korean AI hardware startup known for its innovative chip designs, has turned down Meta’s $800 million acquisition proposal. Despite the attractive offer—reportedly exceeding the startup's estimated market value by about $300 million—the company insisted on pursuing an independent growth strategy. The rejection was primarily due to differing visions for the company's future and its planned organizational structure post-acquisition.
Founded in 2017 and employing around 140 engineers with experience from industry giants like Google, Qualcomm, and Samsung, FuriosaAI is well recognized for its flagship RNGD processor. Built using TSMC’s 5nm technology and dual HBM3 memory, the RNGD chip is designed to deliver double the efficiency of traditional GPUs while consuming significantly less power. With mass production slated for later in 2025 and early performance tests already underway by entities such as LG AI Research and Saudi Aramco, the company remains focused on innovation and further fundraising efforts.
Meta’s interest in acquiring FuriosaAI, reported across multiple sources as recently as early April 2025, is part of its broader strategy to develop custom AI hardware and lessen its reliance on competitors like Nvidia.