SoftBank Group Acquires Graphcore to Build Next-Generation of AI Compute

Graphcore, the Bristol-based AI chip designer, has been acquired by SoftBank Group Corp, becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary while retaining its brand and operations. The deal combines Graphcore’s innovative IPU technology with SoftBank’s extensive investment portfolio, providing significant resources for research and development while strengthening SoftBank’s position in the growing AI sector.

What Graphcore had to say

“This is a tremendous endorsement of our team and their ability to build truly transformative AI technologies at scale, as well as a great outcome for our company,” said Graphcore co-founder and CEO Nigel Toon. “Demand for AI computing is vast and continues to grow. There remains much to do to improve efficiency, resilience, and computational power to unlock the full potential of AI. In SoftBank, we have a partner that can enable the Graphcore team to redefine the landscape for AI technology.”

“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.”