AI chip maker SambaNova raises $1B at $11B valuation, 5 months after last mega round

AI chip company SambaNova Systems has raised $1 billion at an $11 billion valuation in the first close of its Series F round, led by General Atlantic, with more investors expected to join. This comes roughly five months after the company unveiled its SN50 chip and raised a $350 million Series E in February. CEO Rodrigo Liang told TechCrunch that while the company is always being approached, momentum and growth will likely drive it toward going public. SambaNova has deepened its ties with Intel, a backer since its Series C, and now co-develops products with them. Alongside the new funding, the company announced it has been selected by JPMorganChase as an "inference-infrastructure partner" to power secure, on-premises AI inference. Liang sees this as a signal to the banking industry and beyond that enterprises and governments are just starting their AI journey, leaving significant revenue on the table. SambaNova's next-generation SN50 chip is due to begin shipping in the second half of 2026.