Yazılar

Intel to Spin Off Its Venture Capital Arm, Intel Capital

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Intel Corp announced on Tuesday that it will separate its venture capital and investment arm, Intel Capital, into an independent entity to streamline operations and improve efficiency across the business. While Intel will remain a key investor, the transition is set to be completed by the second half of 2025, with the new company adopting a different name. The existing Intel Capital team will be integrated into the new entity.

David Zinsner, Intel’s interim co-CEO and CFO, described the move as a “win-win scenario,” emphasizing that it would provide Intel Capital with access to new capital sources for growth while allowing both entities to maintain a long-term strategic partnership.

Founded in 1991, Intel Capital manages over $5 billion in assets and focuses its investments across four major tech areas: silicon, frontier technologies, devices, and cloud computing. The announcement came shortly after identity security startup Orchid Security raised $36 million in an early-stage funding round, with Intel Capital as a lead investor.

 

China Launches Probe into U.S. Chip Subsidies Over Impact on Domestic Industry

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China’s commerce ministry announced an investigation into U.S. government subsidies to the semiconductor sector, claiming these subsidies have harmed Chinese manufacturers of mature node chips. Unlike advanced chips used in AI, mature node chips are simpler and cheaper to produce, often utilized in household appliances and communication devices. Beijing asserts that U.S. subsidies, particularly under the CHIPS and Science Act, have given U.S. companies an unfair advantage, allowing them to export mature node chips to China at low prices and undermining China’s domestic chip industry.

The probe is part of China’s broader strategy of responding to Washington’s increasingly stringent restrictions on Chinese semiconductor firms, which the Biden administration has accused of potentially strengthening China’s technological capabilities, including its military. The investigation is expected to target U.S. companies, including Intel, which sell mature node chips to China.

This move follows a similar complaint from the U.S. about China’s practices in the chip industry, such as alleged state-backed artificial price suppression and overcapacity. The outcome of the probe could lead to retaliatory actions affecting U.S. chipmakers in the Chinese market. It remains to be seen what specific measures Beijing will take.

 

IBM and GlobalFoundries Settle Legal Disputes Over Contract and Trade Secrets

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IBM and GlobalFoundries announced on Thursday that they have resolved their legal disputes, settling lawsuits involving allegations of contract breaches and trade secret misuse. The confidential settlement, outlined in a joint statement, will enable the two companies to “explore new opportunities for collaboration.”

The lawsuits stemmed from GlobalFoundries’ 2015 acquisition of IBM’s semiconductor manufacturing facilities. In 2021, IBM filed a lawsuit in New York state court, claiming GlobalFoundries had violated a $1.5 billion agreement to produce high-performance chips for the tech giant.

In response, GlobalFoundries, majority-owned by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala sovereign wealth fund, filed a countersuit in New York federal court in 2023. The company accused IBM of misappropriating its trade secrets and sharing proprietary chipmaking information with competitors, including Intel and Japan’s Rapidus consortium, during collaborative partnerships.

Intel has declined to comment on the settlement, while Rapidus did not respond to inquiries regarding the matter.

GlobalFoundries’ Strategic Positioning

GlobalFoundries has recently solidified its role in the semiconductor industry, benefiting from government incentives aimed at boosting domestic chip production. In November, the U.S. Commerce Department awarded the company a $1.5 billion subsidy to expand its manufacturing facilities in New York and Vermont.

This settlement marks the end of a contentious chapter between the two companies and signals a potential reset in their relationship. Both IBM and GlobalFoundries appear poised to focus on future collaboration as the semiconductor sector faces growing demand and geopolitical pressures.