DOJ Investigates Nvidia's $17 Billion Deal with AI Chip Startup Groq
The US Department of Justice is investigating whether Nvidia's $17 billion agreement with AI chip startup Groq was structured to avoid antitrust review. The deal, announced in December 2025, framed as a nonexclusive license to use Groq's chip technology and brought in Groq executives, including founder and CEO Jonathan Ross.
The New York Times reports that the DOJ opened a probe soon after the announcement and has now sent Nvidia a formal request for information. This suggests prosecutors want to understand how the arrangement works in practice, not just how it's labeled.
Nvidia could face fines or extra compliance requirements if found guilty of avoiding antitrust review. The company may also face tighter constraints on similar deals going forward.