Despite these challenges, CoreWeave plays a critical role in AI infrastructure, having deployed over 250,000 Nvidia GPUs. The company plans to use $1 billion from the IPO proceeds to repay debt, which stood at approximately $8 billion last year. CoreWeave has yet to turn a profit, which adds to investor hesitancy, as recent IPOs have favored profitable firms. Ahead of the IPO, CoreWeave secured significant partnerships, including an $11.9 billion infrastructure deal with OpenAI, which will also receive $350 million in shares through a private placement. The revised offering reflects broader market uncertainty, with U.S.-listed equity capital market deals declining in both number and value.
Key takeaways:
- CoreWeave reduced its IPO size and priced shares below the expected range, indicating weaker investor interest in AI infrastructure IPOs.
- The company is selling 37.5 million shares at $40 each, a 23.5% reduction from its original plan, with Nvidia anchoring the IPO with a $250 million order.
- Concerns about CoreWeave's long-term growth prospects, financial risks, and reliance on Microsoft have contributed to the lukewarm reception of the IPO.
- Despite securing major partnerships, including an $11.9 billion deal with OpenAI, CoreWeave's significant debt and lack of profitability have added to investor hesitancy.