QIA makes ‘strategic’ investment in US AI chip startup

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has participated in a $230 million funding round for US-based AI semiconductor startup Positron, which is developing cheaper and energy-efficient memory chips.

The sovereign wealth fund has made a “strategic” investment, the startup said in a statement, without disclosing the size of the commitment.

The funding round, led by Arena Private Wealth, Jump Trading and Unless, values Positron at $1 billion.  

Positron aims to challenge Nvidia by offering energy-efficient chips designed to run AI models. The startup expects to launch its first-generation chip, Asimov, by the end of 2026, with production to begin early next year.

In December QIA launched subsidiary Qai, which will develop, manage and invest in advanced AI infrastructure within Qatar and internationally.

In the same month, Qai and Canada-based Brookfield announced a $20 billion joint venture focused on AI infrastructure in the Gulf state and international markets. 

In September the sovereign wealth fund took part in US quantum computing startup PsiQuantum’s $1 billion funding round. 

The $580 billion fund is already a major investor in the global technology sector, including Elon Musk’s xAI.

In May 2025, QIA announced plans to invest $500 billion over the next 10 years in the US during President Donald Trump’s visit to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Further reading:

• Qatar has built prosperity. What comes next?
• Qatar wealth fund commits $25bn to Goldman investments
• Qatar sovereign fund to be ‘selective’ in AI investments