Tech giants Apple, Samsung, Nvidia, and Intel set to invest in chip designer Arm ahead of IPO
text_fields
Cambridge: Arm, the chip designer owned by SoftBank Group, is reportedly attracting investment interest from major tech players such as Apple, Samsung Electronics, Nvidia, and Intel.
According to Japan's Nikkei newspaper, these companies plan to invest in Arm during its anticipated initial public offering (IPO) slated for September 2023.
Reports from June revealed that Arm was engaged in discussions with around ten companies, including Apple, Samsung, and Intel, with the objective of securing one or more anchor investors for the IPO. Recent reports hinted at negotiations to bring in US chip designer Nvidia as a substantial investor in the New York listing.
The anticipated investments from Apple, Samsung, Nvidia, and Intel are expected to materialise once Arm's IPO takes place, as stated by Nikkei. The chip designer, which SoftBank owns, is anticipated to submit its application for IPO to the US Securities and Exchange Commission later this month.
Sources suggest that Arm intends to offer the chipmaker's stakes of "a few percent each." While SoftBank declined to comment on these developments, Apple, Nvidia, Intel, and Samsung are yet to respond to requests for comments.
The highly awaited IPO is regarded as a potential financial gain for SoftBank's founder and CEO, Masayoshi Son, as well as the broader tech conglomerate. SoftBank has been pursuing an IPO for Arm since its previous deal to sell the chip designer to Nvidia was derailed last year due to regulatory objections.
Industry insiders estimate that the US listing could raise anywhere between $8 billion and $10 billion. Despite not providing specifics about the listing date or the fundraising target, SoftBank's chief financial officer confirmed the smooth progress of preparations during an earnings briefing, reported Reuters.
SoftBank recently reported an unexpected loss, but the company revealed that it was re-entering the arena of new investments after its Vision Fund unit returned to profitability for the first time in six quarters.
