Apple and Samsung Electronics have expressed their interest in investing in SoftBank Group-owned chip designer Arm at its upcoming initial public offering, which is expected in September, as reported by Japan’s Nikkei newspaper.
Reuters previously reported that Arm was in discussions with several companies, including Apple, Samsung, and Intel, to secure anchor investors for its IPO.
Last month, there were reports of talks with US chip designer Nvidia as well.
According to Nikkei, all four companies – Apple, Samsung, Nvidia, and Intel – plan to invest in Arm once it is listed on the market.
Arm, which is owned by SoftBank, will officially apply to the US Securities and Exchange Commission for the listing later this month.
The chipmakers are expected to acquire “a few percent each” of stakes in Arm.
While SoftBank declined to comment on the matter, there has been no immediate response from Apple, Nvidia, Intel, or Samsung to Reuters’ request for comment.
The IPO is highly anticipated and seen as a potential windfall for Softbank’s founder and CEO, Masayoshi Son, and his sprawling tech conglomerate.
The listing is a strategic move by SoftBank, especially after its deal to sell Arm to Nvidia fell through last year due to antitrust objections.
Sources suggest that the planned US listing could raise between $8 billion and $10 billion. SoftBank’s chief financial officer stated that preparations for the IPO were progressing smoothly.
Despite posting a surprise loss, SoftBank expressed its readiness to venture into new investments as its Vision Fund unit returned to profitability for the first time in six quarters.
