Microsoft, SoftBank Eye $2 Billion Stake in AI Self-Driving Company Wayve

TLDR

Table of Contents

British autonomous driving company Wayve is negotiating a $2 billion funding round with Microsoft and SoftBank
The deal could value the London-based AI startup at approximately $8 billion
Nvidia signed a letter of intent in September for a potential $500 million investment in Wayve
Wayve raised over $1 billion in 2024 led by SoftBank with support from Nvidia and Uber
The company currently operates in Britain and the US and is expanding to Germany and Japan

British autonomous driving technology company Wayve is negotiating a major funding round with Microsoft and SoftBank. The talks could result in up to $2 billion in new investment for the London-based startup.

The proposed deal would value Wayve at approximately $8 billion. Sources familiar with the discussions told the Financial Times that no final valuation has been set. The talks are still in early stages.

UK’s Wayve in talks with SoftBank and Microsoft over $2bn fundraise https://t.co/qNXpYVQUuY
— Financial Times (@FT) October 13, 2025

This potential investment follows Nvidia’s September announcement of a letter of intent for a $500 million stake in Wayve. The interest from multiple tech giants reflects growing investor appetite for AI startups. Global investors have poured billions into the artificial intelligence sector recently.

Wayve was founded in 2017 and focuses on developing autonomous driving technology. The company already secured over $1 billion in funding last year. SoftBank led that 2024 funding round with participation from Nvidia.

Recent Investment Activity

Microsoft also invested in Wayve during the 2024 funding round. Ride-hailing platform Uber made an undisclosed investment in the company the same year. These partnerships connect Wayve with major players in both technology and transportation sectors.

The company currently operates in Britain and the United States. Wayve has been expanding its testing and development work beyond these core markets. The firm is now working in Germany and Japan as it grows its international presence.

Neither Wayve nor the potential investors provided official comments on the reported negotiations. Microsoft and SoftBank did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters. Wayve declined to discuss the Financial Times report.

Expansion Plans

The autonomous driving sector continues to attract substantial capital investment. Companies developing self-driving technology compete for funding from major tech and financial firms. Wayve’s technology aims to power autonomous vehicles using artificial intelligence.

SoftBank has shown consistent interest in Wayve through multiple investment rounds. The Japanese conglomerate’s involvement in both the 2024 round and current talks demonstrates ongoing confidence in the company. Microsoft’s participation also spans multiple funding stages.

Wayve’s international expansion into Germany and Japan marks a push into key automotive markets. Both countries have strong manufacturing sectors and regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicle testing. The company’s growth strategy involves scaling operations across multiple regions.

The $8 billion potential valuation represents a substantial increase from previous funding rounds. This would place Wayve among the more highly valued autonomous driving startups globally. The valuation reflects investor belief in the company’s technology and market position.

Nvidia’s September letter of intent for $500 million adds another major tech investor to Wayve’s cap table. The chip manufacturer supplies hardware used in many AI and autonomous driving applications. Uber’s investment creates a potential commercial pathway for Wayve’s technology through ride-hailing services.

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