[Edaily Marketin Reporter Soyoung Park ] Attention is focused on a leading European artificial intelligence (AI) company in which SamsungElectronics(005930)has made a large-scale equity investment. The company in question is France’s “Mistral AI.” It had already attracted interest from Korean investors during its investment round in 2024.

Mistral’s valuation has surged approximately fourfold since then. As the company has its sights set on an initial public offering (IPO) in the long term, all eyes are on whether the South Korean firms that have already invested will see returns on their investments over the medium to long term.

According to investment banking (IB) industry sources on the 10th, Mistral raised 3 billion euros (approximately 4.6828 trillion won) in its recent Series D funding round from investors including SamsungElectronics.

With this investment led by SamsungElectronics, Mistral’s valuation was set at over 21 billion euros (approximately 32.7804 trillion won).

Along with the investment, Samsung entered into a strategic partnership with Mistral. The two companies agreed to jointly develop on-premises AI technology to be applied to Samsung’s semiconductor design and manufacturing operations.

This is not the first time Korean capital has invested in Mistral. Previously, when Mistral conducted a Series B funding round totaling 600 million euros (approximately 936.6 billion won) in 2024, domestic investors also participated. At that time, the company’s valuation stood at 5.8 billion euros (approximately 9.0533 trillion won).

For example, Hanwha Asset Management invested in Mistral through a venture fund managed by its U.S. subsidiary. The specific investment amount was not disclosed. However, Hanwha directly cited Mistral as part of its global deep-tech investment track record in the first half of this year.

Corelia Capital invested in Mistral through K-Fund 2, in which Naver served as an anchor limited partner (LP). Corellia Capital is a French venture capital (VC) firm founded by Fleur Pellerin, the former French Minister of Culture. Naver, together with LINE, contributed 100 million euros (approximately 156.1 billion won) in 2016. Subsequently, it injected an additional 100 million euros in 2017.

Samsung Venture Investment was also listed as a Series B investor at the time. As Mistral has its sights set on an IPO in the long term, domestic companies that have already invested are expected to see returns on their investments over the medium to long term.

The industry is watching to see if, in addition to Mistral, other deals connecting Korea and France will emerge to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. At a recent business roundtable held in Paris, the two nations discussed expanding investment and business cooperation in future strategic industries such as AI and quantum technology.

An investment banking industry source familiar with the local situation in France said, “We are focusing on creating a model for deep-tech cooperation between the two countries that goes beyond mere financial investment—one that involves injecting capital, forming strategic partnerships, and leading to joint technology development.”