Nvidia launches GPU Ventures Program to foster startups
Nvidia is trying to stoke its own product ecosystem today as it launches the GPU Ventures Program to identify, support and in invest in early stage companies.
The investments will focus on GPU (graphics processing unit) applications such as video programs that tap the computing power of the graphics chip. Through Nvidia's CUDA programming environment, the GPUs can now be used to handle non-graphics computing tasks and software companies are only just beginning to exploit that, said Jeff Herbst, vice president of business development at Nvidia.
The Santa Clara, Calif.-based graphics chip maker is extending a program it kicked off last year with its Nvision visual computing conference, which featured an investment conference that drew 60 startups. Now the company has formalized its plans to invest in startups and to publicize them through a portal site, dubbed GPU Venture Zone. Nvidia offers more than just dollars. It lets some startups such as Elemental Technologies, whose Badaboom program converts video from one format to another, sell their wares on the Nvidia's own web site or partner web sites.
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