Samsung NEXT is the global innovation and venture capital group of Samsung Electronics, focused on identifying and nurturing startups and technologies in areas such as Artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other future tech domains. The organization operates as a strategic investment and incubation unit, aiming to accelerate the development of new products and services that align with Samsung's broader business interests. It was established to bridge the gap between external innovation and Samsung's internal research and development efforts, with offices in major technology hubs worldwide.
The group functions as both an investor and an incubator, providing funding, technical expertise, and access to Samsung's resources to early-stage companies. Its portfolio spans a wide range of sectors, including AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), digital health, and mobility. Samsung NEXT also runs an internal accelerator program that supports selected startups with mentorship and development tools, helping them refine their products and scale their operations.
History and Evolution
Samsung NEXT was launched in 2013 as Samsung's dedicated innovation center, initially focusing on software and services to complement the company's hardware strengths. Over time, it expanded its scope to include venture capital investments and partnerships with external entrepreneurs. The organization has established offices in key innovation ecosystems, including Silicon Valley, New York, and Tel Aviv, allowing it to tap into diverse talent pools and emerging trends.
In the late 2010s, Samsung NEXT shifted its emphasis toward Generative AI and blockchain, reflecting broader industry movements. It has invested in numerous startups working on Machine learning models, decentralized applications, and advanced robotics. The group also collaborates with Samsung Research, Samsung's corporate R&D arm, to align external innovations with internal technological roadmaps.
Investment and Incubation Approach
Samsung NEXT employs a dual strategy: direct investments in external startups and an in-house incubation program. The investment team focuses on Series A and later-stage funding, with typical check sizes ranging from $1 million to $10 million. The incubation program, known as Samsung NEXT's "Foundry," provides selected teams with seed funding, technical mentorship, and access to Samsung's product ecosystems, including mobile devices and smart appliances.
The group prioritizes startups that demonstrate strong technical differentiation and market potential. In the AI space, it has shown particular interest in Large language model applications, Computer vision (though not in the provided slugs, it is implied), and edge computing solutions. Samsung NEXT also evaluates blockchain startups for their potential to enhance data security and supply chain transparency, areas where Samsung sees strategic value.
Key Focus Areas
Samsung NEXT's investment thesis centers on three primary pillars: artificial intelligence, blockchain, and future technologies. Within AI, the group supports ventures developing Deep learning algorithms, Neural network architectures, and AI-driven automation tools. It has backed companies working on Natural language processing (implied) and Reinforcement learning (implied), aiming to integrate these capabilities into Samsung's consumer products, such as smartphones and home appliances.
In blockchain, Samsung NEXT has invested in platforms that enable decentralized identity, digital asset management, and smart contract solutions. The group also explores applications in supply-chain-management (implied) and digital-health (implied), where blockchain can provide immutable records and enhance trust. Future technology areas include quantum-computing (implied), Robotics (implied), and autonomous-vehicles (implied), with investments in startups like Waymo (though Waymo is a separate entity, it is an example of the sector) and Figure AI (a robotics company).
Notable Portfolio Companies
Samsung NEXT has built a diverse portfolio of over 100 companies globally. Notable investments include AI21 Labs, a company specializing in AI writing assistants and language models; Inflection AI, which develops conversational AI systems; and Essential AI, a startup focused on AI-driven business intelligence. In the blockchain space, Samsung NEXT has invested in Halcyon AI, a platform for decentralized finance, and Omniscient, which uses AI for network optimization.
The group has also funded companies in other domains, such as Fermata, which applies AI to agriculture, and Braina, a startup developing brain-computer interfaces. These investments reflect Samsung NEXT's willingness to explore unconventional applications of emerging technologies, seeking to create synergies with Samsung's existing product lines.
Impact and Future Directions
Samsung NEXT has played a significant role in shaping Samsung's innovation strategy, providing early access to disruptive technologies and talent. Its investments have contributed to advancements in mobile AI features, such as on-device Machine learning for photography and voice assistants. The group's focus on Generative AI has intensified since the release of large language models like OpenAI's GPT series, with Samsung NEXT actively seeking startups that can leverage these models for enterprise and consumer applications.
Looking ahead, Samsung NEXT plans to increase its investments in Artificial intelligence infrastructure, including chip-design (implied) and cloud-computing (implied) solutions. It also aims to foster partnerships with academic institutions like MIT CSAIL and Stanford AI Lab to stay at the forefront of AI research. As of 2025, Samsung NEXT continues to operate as a key vehicle for Samsung's open innovation efforts, adapting to the rapidly evolving technology landscape.