Recent #Softbank news in the semiconductor industry

3 months ago

➀ Intel and SoftBank jointly established Saimemory to develop a stacked DRAM technology as an alternative to HBM, aiming to reduce power consumption by half;

➁ A prototype is expected within two years, with production targeted by the end of the decade, supported by $70 million in total investment, including $21 million from SoftBank;

➂ The technology originated from Intel, Japanese academia, and partners like Riken and Shinko Electric, with potential government funding and priority supply for SoftBank's AI processors (e.g., Arm and Graphcore).

HBMIntelSoftbank
3 months ago

➀ Intel and SoftBank established a joint venture 'Saimemory' to develop a stacked DRAM solution aimed at replacing HBM, targeting a 50% reduction in power consumption for AI data centers;

➁ The technology leverages Intel's patents and Japanese academic research, with prototype validation by 2027 and commercialization before 2030;

➂ Japan aims to re-enter the global memory chip market after two decades, competing with current HBM leaders Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron.

HBMIntelSoftbank
5 months ago

➀ In Q1'25, global venture funding reached $121 billion, driven by OpenAI's $40 billion raise, valuing the company at $300 billion;

➁ Despite a decline in deal count, AI startups remained the primary beneficiaries of this capital concentration, capturing more than half of the quarter's funding;

➂ The AI dealmaking landscape is evolving, with a shift from infrastructure investments to vertical solutions and application-layer platforms.

AIByteDanceMicrosoftOpenAISoftbankSpaceXVenture Capitalfunding
6 months ago

➀ SoftBank Group has announced the acquisition of Ampere Computing, a Silicon Valley-based startup specializing in Arm-based server chips, for $6.5 billion.

➁ The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025 and represents SoftBank's growing investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

➂ The acquisition reflects SoftBank's belief in the increasing importance of Arm-based technology in data centers.

AIAcquisitionAmpere ComputingData CentersSilicon ValleySoftbank
8 months ago
➀ Softbank plans to challenge Nvidia with its Izanagi AI processor project, which could attract an investment of $100 billion; ➁ Prototypes of the Izanagi processors are expected in summer 2025, with mass production set for 2026; ➂ Arm and Graphcore are central to the chip design, with Arm aiming to move up the value chain; ➃ The involvement of hyperscalers could raise the funding to hundreds of billions; ➄ Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son has discussed the project with OpenAI and made a tender offer to OpenAI employees.
AIArmChipGraphcoreNVIDIASoftbank
10 months ago
➀ Graphcore, the AI chip designer based in Bristol, is set to add 75 new jobs, increasing its workforce by 20% to approximately 450 people. ➁ The roles span various disciplines such as silicon design, hardware, datacenter infrastructure, software, and AI research. ➂ Graphcore's CEO, Nigel Toon, emphasizes the company's commitment to being a leading-edge workplace in its field.
AIAI ChipGlobal ExpansionGraphcoreRecruitmentSoftbankSoftwareUKhardware
about 1 year ago
1. SoftBank has acquired Graphcore, an eight-year-old AI company, for an estimated $600 million. 2. Graphcore's CEO, Nigel Toon, stated that the company will contribute to the next generation of AI computing within the SoftBank Group. 3. Despite raising $700 million and reaching a valuation of over $2.5 billion at one point, Graphcore reported sales of $2.7 million and a loss of $205 million in 2022.
AIGraphcoreSoftbank