Graphcore collaborates with SoftBank


Back in February 2024, we wrote Graphcore desperately needed to raise significant funds by May if it was to survive, and that a number of potential buyers were circling the troubled firm. These included Arm, Japanese tech conglomerate SoftBank (which has a majority share in Arm), and OpenAI.

SoftBank was always the most likely suitor, and it has now been confirmed as the new owner of Graphcore having splashed out somewhere between $400 and $500 million for company. The exact price hasn’t been confirmed.

“Society is embracing the opportunities offered by foundation models, generative AI applications and new approaches to scientific discovery”, said Vikas J. Parekh, Managing Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers. “Next generation semi-conductors and compute systems are essential in the AGI journey, we’re pleased to collaborate with Graphcore in this mission.”

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