London, United Kingdom: British self-driving technology firm Wayve is negotiating a major funding round with Microsoft and SoftBank, according to reports citing people familiar with the talks. If completed, the deal would inject as much as $2 billion into the London-based start-up and lift its valuation to approximately $8 billion, placing it among the most highly valued autonomous vehicle companies globally.
Strategic Backing from Tech Giants
Wayve, founded in 2017, develops AI-driven autonomous driving systems that rely on machine learning and camera-based perception rather than detailed pre-mapped environments. Its approach has attracted strong interest from global technology leaders.
- Microsoft has previously partnered with Wayve to provide cloud computing and AI infrastructure through its Azure platform.
- SoftBank, a long-time investor in mobility and AI, led Wayve’s $1 billion funding round in 2024, alongside support from Nvidia and Uber.
In September 2025, Nvidia signed a letter of intent for a potential $500 million investment, further strengthening ties between the chipmaker and the UK start-up.
Expansion and Global Ambitions
Wayve currently operates in the UK and United States, with testing programs underway in London and pilot projects expanding to Germany and Japan. The company is positioning itself as a leader in scalable autonomous driving solutions, aiming to integrate its technology into ride-hailing fleets, logistics, and consumer vehicles.
The new funding would accelerate:
- Research and development of its AI driving models.
- Vehicle testing and safety validation in multiple international markets.
- Commercial partnerships with automakers and mobility providers.
Industry Context
The talks come amid a global surge of investment in AI start-ups, with capital flowing into companies developing generative AI, robotics, and autonomous systems. Analysts note that the race to commercialize self-driving technology has intensified, with U.S. and Asian firms competing alongside European challengers.
Wayve’s valuation leap reflects both investor confidence in its AI-first approach and the broader momentum of the autonomous mobility sector, which is projected to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars by the 2030s.
Outlook
While negotiations remain ongoing and no final agreement has been signed, the potential $2 billion raise would mark a defining moment for Wayve and for the UK’s technology ecosystem. If successful, it would not only cement Wayve’s status as a global AI leader but also highlight London’s growing role as a hub for next-generation mobility innovation.
Sources: Financial Times; Reuters; Analytics Insight; Yahoo Finance.
