[httpz]

Zeiss -> ASML -> TSMC -> Nvidia

Seems crazy that there are no alternatives for these four companies in the high end AI semiconductor supply chain.

[roenxi]

That perspective is a little wrong; those are the 4 companies on the edge of a wave of technological improvement. It isn't unusual for there to be unique companies in those circumstances. For example when Apple hit the market with the iPhone back in '07 there were similar things going on. One of the things that hamstrung Apple's competitors was that nobody in the supply could manufacture equivalent parts.

Those 4 companies aren't without competitors. But if you pick the best in each category there is (funnily enough) only one option and right now chaining them together gets a noticeably better product than anyone else can build. That isn't normal but it also isn't that weird for new products.

If you want what Nvidia was building a few years ago there are several of options.

[micwag]

Zeiss and ASML currently have no competitors in the EUV lithography space as everyone else dropped out. (There was a big switch from lenses to mirrors)

I won't rule out a direct competitor, but they have a substantial moat.

They face some pressure from indirect competition like Canon Nanoimprint though.

[hinkley]

When the MacBook Pro switched to Intel processors, Intel made an entirely new top bin for Apple and for something like six months they had exclusive right to it.

Oh favoritism and bribery! More like, small market that can deal with the fact that the vendor can only promise small deliveries. But also Intel trying to land a whale.

[tester756]

Wasnt it recently announced that Nvidia will use Intel's foundry? At least for Advanced Packaging

[micwag]

That would only replace TMSC. Zeiss and ASML would be still in the supply chain.