The European Commission announced Friday its approval of Nvidia Corp.’s $700 million acquisition of Israeli startup Run:ai Labs Ltd., concluding the deal would not harm competition in the market for GPU orchestration software.
Antitrust Review Clears Path for Nvidia’s Expansion
The commission initially launched an investigation in October to determine whether the acquisition would bolster Nvidia’s dominant position in the graphics processing unit (GPU) market. GPUs are integral to devices ranging from smartphones to gaming consoles, powering graphics-related tasks such as video streaming and gaming.
After completing its review, the EU determined that Nvidia lacks both the technical capacity and the incentive to limit the compatibility of its GPUs with rival software.
“Other software options compatible with Nvidia’s hardware will remain available in the market,” said Teresa Ribera, the commission’s executive vice-president. She added that Run:ai does not hold a significant position in the GPU orchestration software space, ensuring that consumers will continue to have access to credible alternatives.
What Run:ai Brings to Nvidia
Run:ai specializes in workload management and artificial intelligence-powered scheduling, helping businesses optimize their use of resources for AI-related tasks. Its software platform is used by large enterprises globally, according to the company. Nvidia’s acquisition is expected to bolster its capabilities in AI-driven enterprise solutions.
