SoftBank is said to have explored potential takeover of Marvell

SoftBank’s Interest in Marvell Technology

SoftBank explored the possibility of acquiring U.S. chipmaker Marvell Technology earlier this year, potentially marking the largest deal in the semiconductor industry’s history. The Japanese conglomerate’s billionaire founder, Masayoshi Son, has considered Marvell as a takeover target intermittently over several years.

Strategic Focus on AI-Related Hardware

This consideration aligns with Son’s strategy to invest in hardware companies that could benefit from the expanding artificial intelligence (AI) market. SoftBank approached Marvell several months ago, but the two parties failed to agree on deal terms.

Potential Synergy with Arm

SoftBank’s interest in Marvell was partly driven by plans to potentially combine it with Arm, the UK-based chip designer under SoftBank’s control. Though no active negotiations are currently underway, there remains a possibility that SoftBank might renew its interest.

Masayoshi Son’s Deal-Making Approach

Sources indicate that Son frequently explores numerous potential deals but often takes no immediate action.

“Son regularly looks at dozens of possible deals without taking action,” people familiar with the matter said.

Supporting Quality Journalism

In an age flooded with misinformation and excessive information, maintaining high-quality journalism is more important than ever.

Subscription and Community Engagement

Subscribers can comment on stories after setting a display name in their profile. Some subscription plans may restrict commenting privileges.