FuriosaAI, a South Korean startup specializing in AI semiconductor design, has turned down an $800 million acquisition offer from Meta, choosing to stay independent and pursue its own product roadmap, according to local reports. Disagreements over strategic direction and organizational structure — not valuation — led to the breakdown in talks.
Founded by June Paik in 2017, FuriosaAI has developed two proprietary chips, Warboy and Renegade (RNGD), aimed at challenging industry giants like Nvidia. The company recently completed RNGD testing with LG AI Research and Aramco, with commercial launch expected this year. FuriosaAI is now reportedly raising $48 million to scale production as global demand for AI model infrastructure continues to surge.
