SoftBank wrapping up $6.5B deal for Oracle-backed chip designer Ampere

SoftBank is reportedly considering a $6.5 billion acquisition of Ampere Computing LLC, a semiconductor and chip designer backed by Oracle.

While Ampere looks primed for a takeover, it is also exploring its strategic options, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the discussions were private.

The same people also urged caution as talks could still fall apart. It’s also possible the chipmaker is snapped up by another potential buyer. 

SoftBank has made several strategic acquisitions in recent years, including stakes in companies like Arm Holdings and WeWork.

Ampere primed for takeover 

Ampere designs semiconductors that use Arm’s technology. It was valued at $8 billion in a proposed minority investment by Japan’s SoftBank in 2021. The company’s current valuation, as far as Arm and Ampere are concerned, is still being discussed. 

While representatives for all parties involved have not commented publicly, we know that Ampere has been working with a financial adviser to help field takeover interest according to a Bloomberg News report from September. 

The Santa Clara, California-based company’s interest in a deal with a larger player in the industry reportedly implies that there was no clear path to an initial public offering.

An announcement regarding the transaction is expected in the coming weeks, highlighting the urgency and significance of the deal.

The deal involves SoftBank Group Corp. and Ampere Computing LLC, which is backed by Oracle Corp., showcasing a collaboration between major players in the tech industry.

Chip companies cashing in on the AI spending boom

The interest in Ampere, whose early backers also include Carlyle Group Inc., is strategic as it comes at a time when chip companies are looking to leverage the growing demand for artificial intelligence technologies. 

Last year, Oracle confirmed that it owns 29% of the startup and can exercise future investment options that would give it control of the chipmaker.

There is a huge interest to control key components as the data center industry gets ready for the AI age, but Ampere, like its larger rivals Intel Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc., finds itself having to deal with consumer interest gravitating towards Nvidia Corp’s accelerator chips from CPUs. 

Ampere makes processors for data center machinery using Arm’s technology. Meanwhile, Arm is increasingly moving from being a licensor of fundamental standards and basic blueprints to more of a complete chipmaker. 

Ampere’s engineers, many of whom used to work for Intel’s former industry-leading server chip unit, have also been hired. Their addition is expected to provide momentum to Arm’s CEO Rene Haas’ efforts to expand into the server chip market, leveraging their experience and knowledge.

Founder and CEO Renee James, a former Intel executive, had eyes on taking Ampere public. In April 2022, the company revealed it had filed confidentially for a US IPO at a time when demand for chips was on the increase.

If a takeover of Ampere is successful, a run of semiconductor deals would continue at a time when global deals involving chips are surging. Just last year, Bloomberg reported that deals involving chip companies more than doubled to over $31 billion. 

Cryptopolitan Academy: Tired of market swings? Learn how DeFi can help you build steady passive income. Register Now