· Bloomberg
Google Secures $12.2 Billion Marvell Stake in Major AI Chip Partnership Expansion
Photo: Igor Omilaev on Unsplash
Google has secured the right to purchase up to $12.2 billion worth of Marvell Technology shares as part of an expanded partnership to develop custom AI chips through 2033. The deal, which could generate up to $120 billion in revenue for Marvell if Google hits purchasing targets, marks a significant shift in Google's chip supply strategy and reduces its historical dependence on Broadcom.
Marvell Technology has issued Google a warrant to purchase up to 58.97 million shares at $206.58 per share, a major development in the tech giant's strategy to build a proprietary AI infrastructure ecosystem. Under the agreement, approximately 1.36 million shares will vest over the first year on a time-based schedule, with the remainder vesting in tranches tied to Google's future revenue from custom product purchases—one tranche for every $500 million in revenue—extending through fiscal 2033.
The expanded partnership covers a broad range of technologies critical to Google's AI operations, including processors that run AI models, manage data storage, and move information across networks within the tensor processing unit (TPU) ecosystem. This encompasses AI inference accelerators, storage controllers, and network interface controllers—components essential for scaling Google's AI infrastructure as it competes with other hyperscalers.
The deal represents a strategic pivot for Google, which has historically relied on Broadcom as its primary custom chip partner. Market reaction was immediate: Marvell shares jumped nearly 8-11 percent following the announcement, while rival Broadcom declined more than 5 percent, reflecting investor concerns about shifting competitive dynamics in the custom silicon market. Analysts note that the arrangement demonstrates a broader trend among hyperscalers seeking alternatives to Nvidia's expensive graphics processors.
If Google meets its purchasing targets, the arrangement could generate approximately $120 billion in cumulative revenue for Marvell through fiscal 2033, underscoring the scale of Google's AI infrastructure expansion. The deal illustrates how major cloud providers are increasingly investing directly in their semiconductor suppliers to secure supply chains and reduce costs while building differentiated AI capabilities.
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Original source: Bloomberg