EU scrutinises Nvidia’s $700 million Run:ai acquisition
The European Commission questions Nvidia’s bundling tactics amid its near-monopoly on GPU technology.
European Union antitrust regulators are investigating whether Nvidia’s proposed $700 million acquisition of Run:ai could strengthen its dominant position in graphics processing units (GPUs). Nvidia currently holds 84% of the GPU market, far outpacing competitors Intel and AMD. Regulators are questioning Nvidia customers about potential bundling practices that might offer discounts for purchasing both its GPUs and software.
The European Commission is exploring whether such bundling provides Nvidia with a competitive edge and whether these practices could harm market competition. The Commission has set a preliminary review deadline of 20 December. Customers have also been asked how an open-source approach to Run:ai’s operations might impact their businesses. Nvidia has yet to comment on the inquiry.
GPUs are critical for data centres, gaming, and cryptocurrency mining, making this deal significant for the technology sector. The investigation could influence how Nvidia integrates Run:ai into its portfolio.
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