This is not the first time Mistral has quickly raised funds, with the December round coming just six months after a seed round worth approximately $111 million. The company's rapid fundraising reflects the ongoing investor interest in AI startups. Despite predictions of a decline in AI funding in 2024, funding to AI-related startups increased in Q1 2024 compared to Q4 2023, with $12.2 billion invested in venture-backed AI startups in 1,166 deals.
Key takeaways:
- Mistral AI, a Paris-based AI firm, is reportedly closing in on a new funding round that would value the company at $6 billion.
- The company is seeking to raise around $600 million from existing investors General Catalyst and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
- Strategic backers of Mistral AI include Nvidia and Salesforce 1, and recent investors include Microsoft and Databricks Ventures.
- Despite predictions of AI funding declining in 2024, funding to AI-related startups increased in Q1 2024 compared to Q4 2023, with $12.2 billion invested in venture-backed AI startups in 1,166 deals.