After years in CEO Jensen Huang's orbit, these Nvidia veterans are building a startup community of their own (www.businessinsider.com)

Greg Estes, a former Nvidia executive, has launched EverGreen, a startup community comprised of ex-Nvidia employees who advise and invest in AI startups. Officially starting in March, EverGreen aims to leverage the extensive network of around 30,000 former Nvidia staff to support new ventures in sectors such as infrastructure, developer tools, and robotics. With a unique approach that emphasizes mentorship and networking rather than traditional fund management, EverGreen allows its members to evaluate startups on a case-by-case basis for investment opportunities. The significance of EverGreen lies in its ability to foster innovation within the AI landscape while maintaining strong ties to Nvidia. Members include seasoned professionals who previously directed initiatives like Nvidia's Inception startup program, providing invaluable resources, from cloud credits to technological support, to emerging companies. By facilitating interactions between these startups and Nvidia's NVentures investment arm, EverGreen not only enriches the startup ecosystem but also ensures that the legacy of Nvidia’s groundbreaking contributions to AI persists through its alumni. This initiative underscores a growing trend of industry veterans building communities to mentor the next generation of tech innovators.