SoftBank Group has made a major move in the global semiconductor and AI markets with a $14.4 billion (approximately ¥100 billion yuan) investment in Intel, positioning itself as the chipmaker’s fifth-largest shareholder.
On August 19, 2025, Japan’s SoftBank Group and U.S. chip titan Intel announced a definitive securities purchase agreement. Under the deal, SoftBank will invest $2 billion to acquire newly issued Intel shares at $23 per share. Intel’s stock, which closed at $23.66 before the announcement, jumped 5.41% to $24.94 in after-hours trading.
According to FactSet data, this translates to roughly a 2% ownership stake, making SoftBank the fifth-largest shareholder in Intel.
SoftBank’s Strategic Bet on Intel #
Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group, stressed the strategic importance of the deal:
“Semiconductors are the foundation of every industry. For over 50 years, Intel has been a trusted leader in innovation. This strategic investment reflects our belief that advanced semiconductor manufacturing and supply will expand in the United States, and that Intel will play a crucial role.”
Lip-Bu Tan, Intel’s current CEO, welcomed the support:
“We are honored to have SoftBank’s confidence in Intel. This investment is a significant boost to our turnaround efforts and reinforces our shared vision of advancing U.S. semiconductor leadership and AI-driven innovation.”
Note: Lip-Bu Tan became Intel’s CEO in March 2025, succeeding interim co-CEOs.
SoftBank’s Growing Influence in Chips and AI #
SoftBank continues to expand its presence across the semiconductor and AI landscape:
- In 2016, SoftBank acquired Arm for $32 billion—today, Arm’s valuation nears $150 billion.
- In 2025, SoftBank announced plans to buy Ampere Computing for $6.5 billion.
- That same year, it launched the “Stargate Plan” with OpenAI and Oracle, pledging $100–500 billion toward U.S. AI infrastructure.
- Shortly after, SoftBank led a $40 billion investment in OpenAI, marking the largest private tech deal in history.
SoftBank’s investment in Intel reinforces its ongoing strategy to shape the future of AI infrastructure, cloud computing, and semiconductor innovation.
What This Means for the Semiconductor Industry #
SoftBank’s $14.4 billion investment arrives during a critical juncture:
- AI Boom: Demand for high-performance chips is surging across industries.
- U.S. Manufacturing: The investment supports domestic semiconductor production and supply chain resilience.
- Competitive Landscape: SoftBank’s expanding influence positions it as a notable challenger to global rivals like TSMC, Nvidia, and AMD.
For Intel, SoftBank’s backing validates Lip-Bu Tan’s leadership and provides vital momentum in the company’s restructuring efforts.
Final Thoughts #
SoftBank’s deepening partnership with Intel—under the leadership of Lip-Bu Tan—is more than a financial infusion; it’s a strategic alignment poised to shape the trajectory of AI, semiconductors, and U.S. digital infrastructure. As the global semiconductor race intensifies, this collaboration could significantly impact how innovation unfolds in the years to come.