While preparing to depart Nvidia, David Hoeller and Nikita Rudin nervously joined a late-night call with their chief executive. The duo had dedicated years to robotics at the semiconductor leader, advancing simulation frontiers and assisting in a demonstration where CEO Jensen Huang appeared onstage alongside a group of humanoid robots. Seeking greater autonomy to translate that technology into practical applications, they exited in 2024 to establish Flexion Robotics, a venture developing robotic intelligence. Connecting from a Munich conference, Huang didn’t attempt to dissuade them, but he did take issue with their planned company name: Checkpoint. “He informed us the name was poor and insisted we change it,” Rudin recalled, noting they’d received similar feedback from others that the name seemed suited to another sector. “I don’t want to attribute it entirely to him, but his remark likely prompted the change.” Huang also cautioned them about the challenging path ahead. “His message was, ‘We don’t realize how tough a journey it’s going to be,'” Rudin said. Flexion’s experience provides insight into how Huang advises certain departing founders: with support but minimal sugarcoating. This directness permeates Nvidia’s culture, where Huang is recognized for bypassing management hierarchies and personally addressing matters ranging from employee performance to client grievances. The relationship between Flexion and Nvidia continued beyond that point. Nvidia subsequently invested in the Zurich-based firm, which is now expanding into the US market, having recently launched a San Francisco office and recruited researchers from firms such as Meta. In total, the company has secured over $57 million in funding. Nvidia did not reply to a request for comment.
<h2>Founders Say Jensen Huang Provides ‘Candid Feedback'</h2>
For Bing Xu, Huang’s departing guidance was more personal in nature. Xu joined Nvidia following its acquisition of his first startup in 2024. He departed earlier this year — forgoing a potentially life-altering amount of Nvidia equity, he stated — to launch another venture called INT21, which leverages AI to enhance chip software. After Xu disclosed his plans, Huang devoted two hours to discussing his work with him and other Nvidia executives while attempting to persuade him to remain. Huang also delivered a pointed critique. He identified communication as Xu’s primary weakness, warning it could constrain his accomplishments. Xu tended to presume others possessed his technical expertise, rendering his explanations hard to follow — and Huang advised that remaining at Nvidia would be the wiser course, Xu recalled. “This is the most candid feedback I’ve received in the past decade about myself,” said Xu, who now collaborates with a public relations agency. “I didn’t realize my communication would be such a significant issue, but when Jensen pointed it out, I decided to seize this chance to improve myself.” The discussion wasn’t solely tough love. Xu mentioned he was contending with high blood pressure and other health concerns at the time, and Huang urged him to take leave and recuperate. He interpreted both the concern and criticism as proof that Huang wanted him to thrive.
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