SoftBank Group Corp. has officially announced the acquisition of Ampere Computing Holdings LLC for a value of $6.5 billion, approximately 973 billion yen. The deal, confirmed on March 19, 2025, will allow the Japanese company to strengthen its commitment to innovation in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, with the goal of reducing its dependence on NVIDIA in the server and data center market.
Ampere Computing, founded in 2018 in Silicon Valley, has established itself as a leader in the design of processors based on ARM architecture, with products that already offer up to 512 cores and integrated AI capabilities. The company has been key in advancing energy-efficient processors designed to meet the growing demand for power in workloads related to artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
A strategic acquisition to strengthen SoftBank’s technology ecosystem
The purchase of Ampere, which is still pending the appropriate regulatory approvals, fits within SoftBank’s strategic vision, which aims to lead the development of infrastructure for AI through synergies with its majority stake in Arm Holdings. According to the official statement, Ampere will become an indirect subsidiary of SoftBank once the deal is completed, expected in the second half of 2025.
Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank, had already expressed his intention to strengthen the company’s role in the artificial intelligence sector. The acquisition of Ampere will not only enhance the development of high-performance Arm chips but will also enable their integration into a broader ecosystem alongside other strategic investments, such as Cristal Intelligence and Stargate.
Details of the deal
The agreement will be structured through the acquisition of 100% of Ampere’s shares via the subsidiary Silver Bands 6 (US) Corp. (SB6), followed by a triangular reverse merger, where Ampere will be the surviving company. Financing for the purchase will be carried out through loans from entities such as Mizuho Bank, Ltd., and SoftBank has received financial advisory support from The Raine Group and legal assistance from Morrison & Foerster LLP.
Until now, SoftBank indirectly owned an 8.08% stake in Ampere. With this operation, the Japanese company will come to control the entire enterprise, reinforcing its position against giants like NVIDIA, which once attempted to acquire Arm Holdings without success.
A key step for the future of AI and cloud computing
Ampere has expressed its enthusiasm for being part of the SoftBank group, highlighting that the alliance will accelerate the development of new AmpereOne chips, aimed at clients seeking high core-density and energy-efficient solutions.
The high-performance Arm chip market has become a strategic point, especially in light of the increasing competition in AI infrastructure. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are betting on alternatives that allow them to diversify their technological dependence, and SoftBank wants to position itself as a key player in this new landscape.
The acquisition of Ampere by SoftBank marks a decisive step in its strategy to lead the advanced semiconductor market, with a clear focus on artificial intelligence, sustainable computing, and the development of critical infrastructure for the future of global technology.
via: Softbank