Nvidia is rolling out a new program called the AI Compute Partnership. Under the deal, the chipmaker promises to backstop GPU capacity for fledgling cloud providers: if they can't rent out the graphics processors they buy, Nvidia will buy back the idle computing power at a guaranteed rate. In return, Nvidia takes a cut of the cloud revenue, with the percentage declining over the contract term.
Building a data center and buying GPUs is brutally expensive, and startups with low credit ratings often can't get loans. Nvidia's guarantee effectively acts as a credit endorsement, helping these companies secure financing. Right now, giants like Amazon, Microsoft, SpaceX, Oracle, Meta, and Google buy the vast majority of Nvidia's chips — but those same giants are developing their own AI silicon. By propping up smaller cloud operators, Nvidia hopes to reduce its dependence on the tech titans.
Beyond revenue sharing, Nvidia sometimes also takes warrants in these guarantee agreements. For example, in September 2025, Nvidia promised to backstop $6.3 billion in unsold compute capacity for CoreWeave through 2032, and in May disclosed an additional $3.5 billion lease guarantee in exchange for warrants.