Key Takeaways:
- US chipmaker Nvidia has agreed to buy a minority stake in Doctolib.
- The French healthcare platform plans to develop new AI tools for doctors and patients.
- Neither company disclosed the value of the deal or the size of Nvidia’s stake.
The Nvidia investment in Doctolib will support the French healthcare platform’s development of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for doctors and patients.
NVIDIA’s investment in Doctolib supports healthcare AI
The Nvidia investment in Doctolib involves a minority ownership stake in the French startup, according to statements released by both companies on Tuesday. Doctolib runs an online platform where patients can book appointments and store medical records. The companies did not disclose the value of the deal or the percentage of Doctolib that Nvidia will own.
The Nvidia investment in Doctolib is expected to help the company develop its own AI software faster and hire more engineers. The healthcare company plans to use Nvidia chips to run its tools while keeping full control of patient records and its own data models.
The deal is part of Nvidia’s wider push to invest in European technology companies. Speaking at a press conference in Paris, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlighted the importance of expanding digital infrastructure across Europe.
French startups receive more US technology investment
French media reports said Nvidia also invested in other Paris-based technology companies. French newspaper Les Echos reported that the US chipmaker bought stakes in Genesis AI, Pigment, and Entalpic. Robotics company Genesis AI confirmed that Nvidia had become an investor.
In August, Doctolib launched a research program to study data from its 50 million users and improve how people find their way through healthcare services. The platform serves patients in France, Germany, and Italy. Earlier this year, a sale of existing shares valued the healthcare platform at €3.6 billion.
Doctolib plans to develop AI assistants for doctors and patients. These digital tools are expected to handle routine paperwork and other administrative tasks for healthcare providers. Company executives said using its own AI models would help protect sensitive health information from outside software developers.
NVIDIA expands European investments with Doctolib deal
Nvidia invested at least $8 billion across Europe over the past year. Huang said the company planned to invest another $2 billion in European technology in the coming days. That would bring its total investment commitments close to $10 billion.
The US chipmaker aims to support local software infrastructure and AI models that developers can access and use openly. Huang said European countries need to build their own computing capacity to remain competitive worldwide. Nvidia’s European tour also includes planned stops in London and Berlin after its events in Paris.
Nvidia is also investing directly in companies that use its chips. By backing growing software startups, the company can support businesses that may increase demand for its hardware. These investments come as companies across the world adopt AI tools.
