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Wayve, a UK company focused on autonomous driving technology, is reportedly in talks with Microsoft (MSFT) and SoftBank on a new round of fundraising worth $2 billion, according to Financial Times. If successful, the round would value the London-based startup at nearly $8 billion.
These talks follow NVIDIA's signing of a letter of intent in September for a possible $500 million investment in Wayve. The move highlights global tech giants’ thirst for investing in AI-related modes of transportation. It also shows a growing level of interest in autonomous driving technology startups focused on utilizing artificial intelligence for innovation in the field.
Wayve was founded in 2017 and has operations in the UK and US There, it is making a concerted effort to help grow someday with autonomous vehicle development and expansion into other countries, namely Germany and Japan. The company has been methodically working on autonomous driving vehicles to develop software and hardware that would be considered scalable for real-world autonomous driving.
Last year, Wayve raised over $1 billion in funding, primarily from SoftBank and NVIDIA, for the development of its AI technology. In a show of continued investment interest in the ride-hailing future and mobility types of companies working in transportation, Uber invested an undisclosed amount in the company in 2024. Neither Wayve, Microsoft, nor SoftBank responded immediately to requests for comment on the latest funding talks.
This potential funding round may enhance Wayve’s technological capabilities and global expansion plans. The participation of established tech giants like Microsoft and SoftBank would bring capital and strategic support in scaling autonomous vehicle deployment. It would also promote the adoption of self-driving technologies globally.
If the Microsoft-SoftBank investment goes through, it could accelerate Wayve’s development of autonomous driving systems. The influx of capital would allow the company to expand its research, enhance vehicle testing, and speed up commercial applications, especially in markets like Europe, Japan, and the US. Hence, strengthening the company’s position in the rapidly evolving AI-driven mobility sector.
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