Investment Thesis
Samsung Next’s AI thesis focuses on the intersection of AI and hardware — specifically AI that can run efficiently on Samsung’s vast device ecosystem (smartphones, chips, appliances). They invest in on-device AI, edge inference, computer vision, and AI companies that can benefit from Samsung’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
Notable AI Deals
Samsung backed Twelve Labs (multimodal video AI), Viso.ai (computer vision platform), and acquired Oxford Semantic Technologies (knowledge graphs). Their investments cluster around AI workloads that can be optimized for Samsung’s Exynos chips and on-device deployment.
Portfolio Strategy
The fund invests $5-50M per deal, primarily at seed and Series A. They prioritize AI companies whose technology can be deployed on-device or optimized for edge computing. Samsung provides portfolio companies access to their hardware engineering teams and device distribution channels.
Track Record
Samsung Next’s AI portfolio is younger than most corporate venture arms, but their focus on on-device AI has positioned them well as the industry shifts toward edge inference. Their acquisition of Oxford Semantic Technologies demonstrates willingness to bring strategic AI capabilities fully in-house when the fit is strong.
| Company | Amount | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twelve Labs | $22M | 2023-06 | Series A |
| Viso.ai | $10M | 2023-03 | Series A |
| Oxford Semantic Technologies | undisclosed | 2023-07 | Acquisition |