NVIDIA Shuts Out Crypto Startups from Inception Program to Double Down on AI Innovation
In a move that signals a major shift in priorities, NVIDIA has officially excluded cryptocurrency startups from its prestigious Inception program. Once a driving force behind crypto mining thanks to its powerful GPUs, the tech giant is now turning away from blockchain ventures to focus exclusively on artificial intelligence.
The Inception program offers a wealth of benefits for early-stage tech companies, including access to advanced development tools, discounted software and hardware, AI training resources, and potential funding through NVIDIA’s venture capital partners. To qualify, startups must be legally incorporated, less than a decade old, and have at least one dedicated developer on board.
While AI startups stand to gain significantly from this initiative, crypto-focused companies now face a tougher path forward. NVIDIA’s policy change cuts them off from mentorship, infrastructure, and funding opportunities, potentially widening the gap between the rapidly growing AI sector and the evolving world of Web3.
Notably, the program also excludes consulting agencies, resellers, cloud providers, distributors, and publicly traded companies.
Why Is NVIDIA Turning Its Back on Crypto Startups?
NVIDIA hasn’t shared a specific reason for the exclusion, but a few key factors are likely at play. Regulatory uncertainty continues to loom over the crypto space, and market volatility remains high. Bitcoin, for instance, recently swung from $75,000 to $94,000, then dipped to $92,000 in just a matter of days, largely influenced by political moves like Trump's tariff announcements.
There’s also NVIDIA’s past brush with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In 2022, the company paid a $5.5 million fine for failing to disclose that a significant portion of its gaming revenue came from crypto mining. That incident may have prompted NVIDIA to steer clear of any further regulatory scrutiny tied to digital assets.
On top of that, NVIDIA appears fully committed to leading the AI revolution. By prioritizing AI-focused startups, the company is positioning itself to capture massive growth potential in machine learning, generative AI, and enterprise automation.
A Strategic Realignment Toward AI
The decision is somewhat ironic given NVIDIA's deep roots in the crypto boom. Its GPUs were once the go-to hardware for miners, and in 2021, the company even released CMP (Cryptocurrency Mining Processor) cards specifically for mining purposes clearly recognizing the market's demand at the time.
Now, with AI technology gaining momentum and mainstream attention, NVIDIA seems determined to realign its resources toward long-term, stable growth in artificial intelligence.
For crypto startups, this development presents a challenge. Without NVIDIA’s backing, they’ll need to explore new avenues for support, innovation, and capital. The AI and Web3 ecosystems may be diverging for now, but those in the crypto space will likely find other ways to adapt and thrive.
