SoftBank Acquires AI-Focused Chipmaker Ampere in $6.5B Deal

SoftBank Group (TYO:9984) is acquiring U.S. chip startup Ampere Computing in a $6.5 billion all-cash deal, strengthening its AI-driven semiconductor portfolio. Ampere, founded in 2018 by former Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) president Renee James, designs high-performance CPUs based on Arm Holdings’ (NASDAQ:ARM) architecture. Its chips power data centers for major cloud providers like Oracle (NYSE:ORCL).

As part of the acquisition, Oracle and Carlyle Group (NASDAQ:CG), Ampere’s largest investors, will sell their stakes. The move aligns Ampere with SoftBank-owned Arm, reinforcing the conglomerate’s AI ambitions.

Ampere initially developed custom CPUs, a strategy typically seen from tech giants like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM). However, competition intensified when Arm collaborated with companies like Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) to develop custom Arm-based processors. Google, which had previously used Ampere’s chips, later shifted to its own Axon CPU.

Under SoftBank’s ownership, Ampere will continue advancing its AmpereOne processor roadmap, enhancing AI and cloud computing capabilities. “With a shared vision for AI innovation, we are excited to join SoftBank,” said James.

This acquisition underscores SoftBank’s commitment to expanding its semiconductor investments, particularly in AI-driven technologies, positioning it as a major force in the global chip industry.