Jensen Huang’s departure blasts big hole in AI startup funding, VCs and founders say

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s departure has left a major gap in AI startup funding, with founders and venture capitalists bracing for smaller checks and lower valuations after the company invested tens of billions of dollars in AI startups under his leadership. The shift matters because Nvidia had become one of the most important backers in the AI ecosystem, and its pullback could ripple across early- and growth-stage companies that relied on its capital and credibility. Investors and founders will be watching how quickly Nvidia’s next leadership team sustains its startup investment pace and whether other large strategic investors step in to fill the void.