Korean semiconductor startup FuriosaAI has rejected an $800 million buyout offer from Meta Platforms Inc. and decided to continue growing independently, according to a source familiar with the situation. Meta had been in talks to acquire FuriosaAI, a Seoul-based company developing AI inferencing semiconductors, since the beginning of the year. The startup, led by June Paik, a former employee of Samsung Electronics Co. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc., is gaining attention for its second-generation processor, RNGD. This processor aims to compete with industry giants like Nvidia Corp. and other startups in the field. After news about a potential Meta acquisition emerged, South Korea's venture capitalist DSC Investment Inc. saw a significant drop in its stock price, indicating market speculation. Meanwhile, Meta is heavily investing in artificial intelligence infrastructure to rival other tech giants like Google and OpenAI, as well as emerging competitors like DeepSeek. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, announced plans to allocate a substantial budget to AI this year, with long-term spending projections reaching hundreds of billions of dollars. Meta is also developing customized chips for its own AI operations, including enhancing the functionality of ads on Facebook and Instagram. FuriosaAI intends to secure additional funding through an extended Series C financing round before eventually considering an initial public offering. The company is on track to exceed its funding targets within the coming month.