Ampere: SoftBank Secures Landmark Acquisition for $6.5 Billion
Deal News | Mar 21, 2025 | EIN
SoftBank Group Corp., a leading Japanese high-tech investment firm, has agreed to acquire Ampere Computing LLC, a U.S. startup specializing in Arm-based processors for data centers, for $6.5 billion. The acquisition aligns with SoftBank's strategic focus on AI infrastructure. This acquisition follows SoftBank's recent purchase of Graphcore, further strengthening its position in the AI sector. The transaction, expected to finalize in late 2025, includes major stakeholders Oracle Corp. and Carlyle Group selling their shares, while Arm Technology Investment retains a minority stake. Ampere's existing operations in Santa Clara, California, will continue as an independent division, contributing to SoftBank's AI infrastructure vision in collaboration with OpenAI and other initiatives.
Sectors
- High-Tech Investment
- Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Artificial Intelligence
Geography
- Japan – SoftBank Group Corp., the acquiring company, is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
- United States – Ampere Computing LLC, the target company, is based in Santa Clara, California, and focuses on the American tech market.
Industry
- High-Tech Investment – SoftBank is a high-tech investment company focused on areas such as AI and related technologies.
- Semiconductor Manufacturing – Ampere is involved in semiconductor manufacturing, specifically in developing Arm-based processors for data centers.
- Artificial Intelligence – SoftBank's acquisition of Ampere aligns with its strategy to develop AI infrastructure and collaborate on AI projects.
Financials
- $6.5 Billion – The purchase price for SoftBank's acquisition of Ampere Computing.
- 1.18 Trillion Yen ($7.7 Billion) – SoftBank's net profit, indicating its financial health and capacity for investment.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoftBank Group Corp. | Acquirer | Company | A Japanese high-tech investment holding company focused on AI and other technologies. |
| Ampere Computing LLC | Target Company | Company | An American startup manufacturing energy-efficient processors for data centers. |
| Oracle Corp. | Selling Company | Company | Owns 32.3% of Ampere and is selling its stake. |
| The Carlyle Group | Selling Company | Company | Owns 59.7% of Ampere and is selling its stake. |
| Mizuho Bank | Financial Lender | Company | Involved in providing loan financing for the acquisition. |
| Arm Technology Investment | Minority Shareholder | Company | Owns 8.1% of Ampere. |
| The Raine Group | Financial Advisor | Company | Acts as an advisor in the acquisition deal. |
| Morrison&Foerster | Legal Advisor | Company | Acts as a legal advisor in the acquisition deal. |