Nvidia backed Nscale raises $2B as Google boosts Gemini

Key Takeaways

• Nscale, an Nvidia-backed AI infrastructure firm, raised $2 billion in Series C funding, achieving a $14.6 billion valuation, and added former Meta executives Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg to its board.
• Hedge fund manager David Tepper reduced his Nvidia stake by 10.5% and increased his Alphabet (parent of Google) investment by 28.8%, citing Alphabet's 190% stock growth over five years.
• Alphabet's AI advancements, including its Gemini large language model and AI features in Google Search, are key drivers for its strong performance and advertising revenue.
• Broadcom anticipates over $100 billion in AI chip revenue by 2027, driven by custom AI accelerators for major tech companies like Google and Meta.
• Marvell Technology is positioned as a top AI investment pick for 2026 due to strong growth in its AI infrastructure business and a 22% year-over-year Q4 revenue increase to $2.2 billion.
• Ciena CEO Gary Smith emphasizes the necessity of a global network infrastructure rebuild, particularly optical networking, to support the AI boom's demand for low-latency data center connectivity.
• Okta reported strong Q4 earnings, with revenue reaching $761 million, driven by its new AI agent security products that provide secure identities and authentication for AI systems.
• AI startup Mega secured $11.5 million in Series A funding to develop AI-driven marketing software for small and medium-sized businesses, automating ad, SEO, and website design strategies.
• China's OpenClaw AI platform is gaining significant traction with government support, financial incentives, and integration by major tech firms like Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu.
• AITX focuses on AI security and autonomy, with its RAD autonomous security systems logging over 10 million operating hours and aiming for recurring monthly revenue and Nasdaq uplisting.

AI firm Nscale secures $2 billion, adds tech leaders to board

Nscale, a UK-based AI infrastructure company, has raised $2 billion in Series C funding, valuing the company at $14.6 billion. The funding round was led by Aker ASA and 8090 Industries. Nscale also announced new board members, including former Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg, former Yahoo president Susan Decker, and former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg. CEO Josh Payne stated that Nscale is building the foundation for the AI infrastructure buildout. The company plans to use the funding to expand its data-center capacity to meet growing demand for AI computing.

UK AI datacentre firm Nscale raises $2bn, adds Sandberg and Clegg

British AI datacentre firm Nscale has raised $2 billion, reaching a valuation of $14.6 billion. The company appointed former Meta executives Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg to its board. Nscale's funding round was led by Norway's Aker ASA and New York's 8090 Industries, with support from various other investors. The company is considered vital to the UK's artificial intelligence ambitions and operates datacentres across the US and Europe. This investment highlights growing international confidence in the UK as a hub for AI innovation.

Nvidia-backed Nscale raises $2 billion for AI infrastructure

Nvidia-backed British AI group Nscale has raised $2 billion in a Series C funding round, achieving a valuation of $14.6 billion. The round was led by Norway's Aker. Key figures joining the board include former Meta executives Nick Clegg and Sheryl Sandberg, and former Yahoo President Susan Decker. Founded in 2024, Nscale operates its own data centres, GPUs, and software stack for large-scale AI compute. The new funding will support the expansion of its data-centre capacity to meet high demand for AI computing.

David Tepper shifts investment from Nvidia to Alphabet's AI stock

Hedge fund manager David Tepper, through Appaloosa Management, has reduced his stake in Nvidia by 10.5% while increasing his investment in Alphabet by 28.8%. Alphabet's stock has grown by 190% over the past five years, outperforming the S&P 500. The company's AI advancements, including its Gemini large language model and AI features in Google Search, have strengthened its advertising business. Despite past antitrust issues, Alphabet's diverse growth opportunities and subscription services position it well for future success in the AI market.

David Tepper favors Alphabet over Nvidia in AI investment shift

Billionaire investor David Tepper's hedge fund, Appaloosa Management, has sold some Nvidia stock and significantly increased its stake in Alphabet. Over the last five years, Alphabet's stock has surged by 190%, significantly outpacing the S&P 500's 75.7% gain. Alphabet's AI initiatives, such as its Gemini model and AI integration into Google Search, have boosted user engagement and its advertising revenue. The company's strong performance despite legal challenges and its diverse business segments suggest continued growth potential in the AI sector.

Okta's AI products drive strong Q4 earnings and stock growth

Okta reported a strong Q4 earnings beat, with revenue reaching $761 million, an 11% year-over-year increase. The identity management company's focus on AI agent security and a $1 billion share repurchase program are key drivers of its performance. Okta's new products, designed to provide secure identities and authentication for AI systems, are resonating with enterprise customers. These offerings are crucial as organizations increasingly adopt AI agents, with 91% of surveyed companies already using them but only 10% having a governance strategy.

AITX CEO details AI autonomy strategy in new video

Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX) has released a CEO video outlining its strategy focused on AI security and autonomy, rather than just robot manufacturing. The company's RAD autonomous security systems have logged over 10 million operating hours, and its SARA platform handles numerous AI-driven calls. AITX is targeting recurring monthly revenue from licensed autonomy and is working towards operational cash flow positivity. The company aims for an uplisting to Nasdaq, emphasizing AI-driven cost savings compared to traditional guarding services.

AI startup Mega raises $11.5 million for SMB sales tools

AI startup Mega has raised $11.5 million in Series A funding, led by Goodwater Capital, to develop AI-driven marketing software for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Originally founded as a gaming business in 2025, Mega pivoted to AI after discovering its AI agent could significantly improve SEO and ad content. The company's tools automate strategy development, execution, and reporting for ads, SEO, and website design. Mega plans to use the funding to hire more product and software developers to create a sales operations agent that will help qualify leads and schedule appointments.

China's OpenClaw AI platform gains traction with government support

Chinese software stocks rose following government support for AI agent technology, particularly the OpenClaw platform. Local agencies, including Shenzhen authorities, are offering financial incentives and talent support for companies developing AI agents. Major tech firms like Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu have integrated OpenClaw into their platforms. Developed by Peter Steinberger, OpenClaw autonomously handles tasks like managing inboxes and making reservations, gaining popularity for its real-world AI applications and potential to boost productivity.

Marvell Technology: Top AI investment pick for 2026

Marvell Technology (MRVL) is highlighted as a top AI investment pick for 2026 due to strong growth in its AI infrastructure business. The company reported a Q4 revenue of $2.2 billion, a 22% year-over-year increase, with expanding non-GAAP operating margins to 36%. The acquisition of Celestial AI and significant hyperscaler capital expenditures are key drivers for Marvell's Data Center segment. While profitability reduces investment risk, monitoring any deterioration in margins is important.

Broadcom's AI chip business fuels massive dividend payouts

Broadcom, a semiconductor and infrastructure software giant, reported record Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue and returned over $3 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. The company pays out more than $12 billion in annual dividends, with a dividend per share growth rate of 31% over the past decade. Broadcom anticipates over $100 billion in AI chip revenue by 2027, driven by custom AI accelerators for major tech companies like Google and Meta. Its Semiconductor Solutions and Software segments provide a combination of AI-driven growth and high-margin revenue.

Ciena CEO: AI requires global network infrastructure rebuild

Ciena CEO Gary Smith believes the AI boom necessitates a global rebuild of network infrastructure, emphasizing connectivity as crucial alongside compute and power. He notes that optical networking is now front and center due to the demand for low-latency network capacity between data centers for AI training and inference. Smith sees hyperscalers as likely long-term winners in this evolving landscape. He also points out that service providers are increasing investments in optical core infrastructure after years of underinvestment, partly due to the focus on 5G.

Sources

• Silicon Valley Big Hitters Join AI 'Infrastructure Hyperscaler'; Secures $2 Billion Funding
• British AI datacentre firm Nscale raises $2bn as Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg join board
• Nvidia-backed UK AI firm Nscale raises $2 billion in funding round
• Billionaire David Tepper Sold Nvidia Stock and Piled Into This AI Stock That's Up Nearly 200% in the Past 5 Years
• Billionaire David Tepper Sold Nvidia Stock and Piled Into This AI Stock That's Up Nearly 200% in the Past 5 Years
• Okta’s Identity AI Products: Key Drivers of Stock Growth for Traders
• AITX CEO video outlines AI autonomy strategy
• AI-Driven Software Startup Mega Raises $11.5 Million In Funding To Help SMBs Drive Sales
• China’s OpenClaw-Tied Stocks Rise on Policy Support, Adoption
• Marvell Technology: My Top AI Investment Pick For 2026
• This megacap AI stock pays over $12 billion in annual dividends
• Ciena’s Gary Smith: AI is forcing a global rebuild of network infrastructure