ComputInsights #6 – Weekly Computing Market Insights

Market Growth

Global IC Design Leaders Surge 49% in 2024 as NVIDIA Dominates Market

TrendForce reports that the top 10 IC design houses generated $249.8 billion in revenue in 2024, reflecting a 49% year-over-year growth. NVIDIA led the industry with a staggering 125% revenue increase, securing a 50% market share and surpassing competitors. AI-driven demand is fueling market consolidation, with top firms like Broadcom, AMD, Qualcomm, and MediaTek benefiting from growing investments in AI chips and edge computing.

M&A and Investments 

Perplexity AI Seeks $18 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round

Perplexity AI is negotiating a funding round that could value the company at $18 billion, doubling its previous valuation reported by Reuters. The Nvidia-backed startup aims to raise between $500 million and $1 billion to expand its AI-powered search tools according to Reuters. As competition with Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT intensifies, Perplexity is enhancing its platform with features like the AI-driven Comet browser and Deep Research capabilities.

UK Strengthens Tech Ties with Taiwan, Seeking Win-Win Innovation Partnership

The UK is actively seeking deeper collaboration with Taiwan’s tech sector, emphasizing a “win-win” partnership at the UK-Taiwan Venture Capital Summit. With strengths in AI, quantum technology, and cybersecurity, the UK aims to attract Taiwanese investment and foster joint innovation. The UK’s tech industry, valued at $1.1 trillion, ranks third globally, offering a strong ecosystem for collaboration. Despite geopolitical and energy transition challenges, both nations see mutual opportunities in aerospace, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, reinforcing the UK’s role as a global innovation hub.

Company Specific News

Advancing Automotive Technology with AI and Chiplet Integration

The automotive industry is advancing in autonomy, electrification, and cockpit technology, requiring multi-modal sensing and AI integration, as highlighted by Cadence. The company provides DSPs, NPUs, and interface solutions to process sensor data, ensure functional safety, and support chiplet-based architectures. To accelerate innovation, it has introduced a reference chiplet for automotive system design.

Pegatron Expands in Silicon Valley to Strengthen AI Server Presence

Pegatron has opened a new office in Santa Clara, California, strategically located across from Nvidia’s headquarters to enhance its North American operations. The expansion underscores Pegatron’s commitment to AI server infrastructure, fostering closer collaboration with key clients while assessing US-based manufacturing opportunities. With a growing team and an advanced server demo center, the site will serve as Pegatron’s regional hub for sales, marketing, and technical support.

Xiaomi’s Bold 2025 Vision: Taking on Apple in Smartphones and Tesla in EVs

Xiaomi is aggressively expanding in 2025, aiming to rival Apple in smartphones and Tesla in electric vehicles (EVs). Its first EV model, the SU7, has seen strong demand, with Xiaomi expecting its EV division to break even in 2025. Additionally, its high-end smartphone push, AIoT expansion, and “Human x Car x Home” ecosystem strategy position Xiaomi as a major global competitor across multiple industries.