Intel is advancing towards a potential acquisition of SambaNova Systems, an AI chip company, for approximately $1.6bn, including debt, according to a report by Bloomberg News.
The report cites individuals familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information.
The parties could finalise the agreement in January 2026, although the terms may still be subject to change.
SambaNova has also engaged with other potential investors, having signed preliminary agreements with them.
This acquisition could significantly enhance Intel’s AI capabilities by incorporating SambaNova’s specialised chip designs into its portfolio.
In 2021, SambaNova was valued at $5bn in a funding round led by SoftBank Group’s Vision Fund 2.
The potential acquisition aligns with Intel’s strategy to strengthen its position in the AI sector, where customised chip solutions are increasingly important.
Founded in 2017 by Stanford University professors, SambaNova concentrates on developing advanced AI chips that compete with Nvidia’s offerings.
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who serves as chairman of SambaNova, has been integral since its inception through his venture capital firm Walden International. Walden led a $56m Series A funding round for SambaNova in 2018.
Based in Palo Alto, California, the company has attracted investment from prominent entities including SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and BlackRock.
In November 2025, SambaNova partnered with OVHcloud to enhance ultra-low latency inference solutions aimed at rapid processing across sectors such as financial trading and cybersecurity. This collaboration seeks to address the growing demand for faster data processing capabilities that are crucial in high-stakes environments where every millisecond counts.
The partnership aims to unlock a wide range of use cases, potentially improving operational efficiency and reducing latency-induced errors in critical applications. By leveraging SambaNova’s technology, OVHcloud expects to deliver more responsive and reliable AI-driven solutions to its clients across various industries.
Additionally, SambaNova secured an agreement in October 2025 with Infercom to deploy its SambaManaged platform for Europe’s first sovereign Inference-as-a-Service offering.
