Qualcomm has made a strategic move by announcing its acquisition of British chip design firm Alphawave Semi in a deal valued at $2.4 billion. This acquisition is set to revolutionize Qualcomm's growth in the data center market and bolster its Oryon mobile CPU and Hexagon NPU development.
Alphawave Semi is known for its cutting-edge IP in custom silicon chips, AI, and connectivity products, with a focus on high-speed connectivity solutions for areas like autonomous vehicles and solid-state storage.
The acquisition of Alphawave Semi marks a significant milestone for Qualcomm and presents a valuable opportunity for both companies to enhance their product offerings and technological capabilities. Together, we aim to drive innovation and become a key player in AI compute and connectivity solutions. - Tony Pialis, president and CEO of Alphawave Semi
Founded in 2017, Alphawave Semi has grown to over 829 employees and is projected to tap into a $39 billion addressable market by 2027. The deal is subject to UK regulator approval and is expected to be finalized in Q1, 2026, paving the way for a new era of collaboration and growth in the chip design sector.
