Qualcomm to Boost Datacentre Capabilities Through $2.4B Purchase of Alphawave

US tech giant Qualcomm announced plans to buy U.K.-based Alphawave Semi for $2.4 billion, marking a strategic move to bolster its position in the datacentre market with advanced chiplet technology. This latest deal underscores Qualcomm's commitment to expanding its portfolio and capabilities in custom CPUs for data-centric applications. The San Diego-based company typically targets companies that strengthen its 5G, automotive, AI, and edge-computing capabilities. 

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Building on its previous acquisition of Nuvia, a custom CPU startup it acquired in March 2021 for $1.4 billion, Qualcomm aims to leverage Alphawave’s expertise to enhance the efficiency and scalability of next-generation computing solutions tailored specifically for data-intensive environments. This alignment positions the US tech giant at the forefront of meeting burgeoning demands from industries increasingly reliant on robust cloud infrastructure.

Founded in 2017 and based in Toronto, Canada, Alphawave Semi has rapidly emerged as a leader in high-speed wired connectivity IP, chiplets, and custom silicon solutions essential for data‑intensive sectors like: Data centers and AI infrastructure, 5G wireless infrastructure, Networking & storage systems (e.g., SSDs), and Autonomous vehicles and automotive sensors. The startup's capabilities include: Silicon IP licensing, Custom chiplets and SoCs, and Finished connectivity products.

As businesses worldwide face exponential growth in data consumption and processing power, this latest billion-dollar deal provides Qualcomm a unique opportunity to deliver cutting-edge solutions that balance power and precision effectively within evolving technological landscapes.

Founded in 1985 and based in San Diego, California, Qualcomm is a global leader renowned for designing semiconductors essential across mobile devices worldwide, particularly noted for its Snapdragon series. The company is a leading global provider of chipsets for mobile devices and a Major player in CDMA, 4G LTE, and 5G technologies. 

The deal, which still subject to approvals from UK regulators, is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2026.