Samsung’s Potential €1 Billion Investment in Mistral AI Lab
Samsung is reportedly considering a major investment of around €1 billion in Mistral, a French artificial intelligence lab. If this funding round goes through, it could elevate Mistral’s valuation to approximately €20 billion.
This financial discussion comes right after Samsung launched a new robotics division called RX, directed by CEO TM Roh. The division aims to seek partners for foundational AI models.
Back in September 2025, Mistral was valued at €11.7 billion. If the current investment is secured, it would nearly double the company’s worth in less than a year.
Sources cited by the Financial Times indicate that Samsung’s investment might reach into the hundreds of millions. Sweden’s EQT is also reportedly considering joining the funding via its Scaleup Europe Fund.
New Robotics Division Established
The timing is notable. Just a day before these talks began, Samsung consolidated its robotics projects under the RX division. Samsung has expressed its commitment to invest in promising startups and recruit experts in the field of Robot Foundation Models, which assist robots in decision-making beyond just movement.
Currently, Samsung does not produce its own large language models, instead relying on Google’s Gemini for its Galaxy AI. If the Mistral deal goes through, it would mark Samsung’s first direct investment in a foundational AI lab outside of Google.
This initiative aligns with Samsung’s focus on advancing robotics AI, supported by a significant investment of approximately 60 trillion won (around $40.7 billion) aimed at enhancing manufacturing in South Korea’s Yeongnam region.
Mistral’s Emphasis on Independence
Mistral has been cultivating a strategy to reduce dependence on external technology sources over the past three years. Founded in 2023 by Arthur Mensch, Guillaume Lample, and Timothée Lacroix, Mistral’s major stakeholder is ASML. The company has secured agreements with Microsoft for computing resources and built its own data centers in Europe to ensure independence from U.S. cloud services.
This approach is often seen as a way to promote European autonomy. Although Samsung is not a European entity, its interest in Mistral reflects a similar intent to invest in a lab not dictated by specific government export regulations. This comes in response to recent concerns about the U.S. briefly restricting European access to certain AI models.
Details Still Uncertain
As of now, no deals have been finalized, and Mistral’s valuation has fluctuated during previous funding rounds. Earlier in 2026, discussions regarding investments with Abu Dhabi’s MGX presented varying figures, with estimates ranging from around $10 billion to nearly €20 billion.
While Samsung has previously expressed ambitious plans for robotics, clear targets have not been established. The potential investment in Mistral emphasizes uncertainties regarding the company’s primary focus, whether that be robotics technology, a broader global strategy, or gaining leverage over Google.
This ongoing situation keeps the spotlight on Samsung’s strategic ambitions in the fast-evolving field of AI and robotics.
