Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, has been garnering attention not only for his extravagant purchases but also for his recent investments in artificial intelligence. Despite splurging on multi-million dollar estates and a luxurious yacht, Bezos’ family office, Bezos Expeditions, has been directing its funds towards AI companies. Exclusive data from FINTRX reveals that all the investments made by Bezos Expeditions this year have been in the realm of artificial intelligence, with funding rounds totaling more than $1 billion.
Strategic Investments in AI Companies
In January, Bezos Expeditions participated in a $73.6 million Series B round of Perplexity AI, an AI-powered search engine company. This was followed by a $63 million follow-on round in April, with the company’s valuation soaring to between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. In February, Bezos Expeditions invested in Figure AI, a humanoid-robot company that also boasts investors like Nvidia and Microsoft. The venture round for Figure AI totaled a whopping $675 million. In July, Bezos made another strategic move by investing in a $300 million Series A round of Skild AI, a company focused on developing AI systems for machines and robotics devices.
Focus on Technology and AI
Bezos Expeditions has historically favored investments in the technology sector, with 70% of its portfolio allocated to tech companies, according to FINTRX. While consumer goods, financial services, and manufacturing also feature in its investment portfolio, AI has become the primary focus for Bezos Expeditions. In a podcast interview earlier this year, Bezos emphasized the transformative potential of AI tools, describing them as discoveries that will revolutionize technology and drive positive change. He expressed confidence in the ability of AI to benefit humanity, rather than posing a threat.
Bezos is not alone in his AI investment strategy. According to the UBS Global Family Office Report, AI has emerged as the top investment category for family offices, with 78% planning to invest in AI in the next two to three years. Amazon, the company founded by Bezos, has also been actively investing in AI. With plans to allocate over $100 billion towards data centers over the next decade and a $4 billion investment in Anthropic, an AI safety and research firm, Amazon is solidifying its presence in the AI space.
Bezos recently unveiled a stock-sale plan to offload $5 billion worth of Amazon shares, following an $8 billion sell-off earlier this year. With cash reserves exceeding $13 billion, Bezos is poised to further capitalize on the AI boom. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, Bezos’ investments signal a strategic shift towards cutting-edge technologies that are poised to shape the future of multiple industries. Through calculated investments in AI companies, Bezos is positioning himself to drive innovation and spearhead advancements in artificial intelligence.
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