Nvidia, a key player in the global artificial intelligence race and best known for its semiconductors, has imposed a policy shift regarding crypto startups in its accelerator program. This decision comes as the company navigates stricter export controls, particularly concerning its H20 chip designed to comply with US restrictions for exports to China. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the policy change aligns perfectly with Nvidia’s Inception program. This program in the past welcomed firms such as Ubex, a Russian start-up combining blockchain and AI for digital advertising, in 2018.

Nvidia's semiconductors play a crucial role in powering microchips for data centers, making the company a vital component in the AI infrastructure landscape. The Trump administration's stricter export controls, requiring special licenses for H20 exports to China, have impacted Nvidia's operations. To address some of these questions and issues, the Inception program has been forced to come to terms with ‘what’ types of companies it supports.

As of now, the Inception program no longer accepts crypto companies either, a stark contrast from its previous welcoming of firms such as Ubex. Nvidia’s Inception program does not admit any startups that are solely crypto. It leaves out consulting and outsourcing development companies, cloud service providers, resellers, distributors, and any companies that have gone public.

Nvidia is continuing to respond to the changing regulatory landscape. The company is doubling down on addressing export restrictions. The firm has not issued any official comment explaining its exclusion of crypto startups. This decision is indicative of the increasing trend of intense oversight and regulation in the emerging crypto industry.

More information about the Inception program, including its specialties, can be found on Nvidia’s website here. The site details the business types that are not eligible to apply, so applicants know right away if they qualify.