Qualcomm to buy startup Modular for $4B in AI software push
Qualcomm has agreed to acquire artificial intelligence startup Modular for approximately $4 billion, marking a significant push into AI software. The deal aims to boost Qualcomm's software capabilities for running AI models on devices rather than in data centers.
Background
Qualcomm, the world's biggest maker of smartphone chips (Snapdragon), has long struggled to diversify beyond phones. Modular is a San Francisco startup that builds software making it easier for developers to write AI models that run efficiently across different hardware (CPUs, GPUs, specialized AI chips). It is best known for "Mojo," a new programming language designed specifically for AI and high-performance computing. The $4B deal is Qualcomm's largest ever in pure software, signaling that its future growth hinges on powering AI not just in phones but in PCs, cars, and data centers — all areas where competitors like Nvidia and AMD dominate. Modular's software could help Qualcomm hardware run AI models more flexibly, reducing dependence on Nvidia's proprietary ecosystem.