Technologies

SoftBank has injected $450 million into this British AI chip company

U.K.-based Graphcore is developing AI chips and systems and was acquired by the Japanese giant in 2024.

Softbank has injected more than $450 million into a chip company, CNBC has learned, as the Japanese investment giant looks to continue its major play in AI infrastructure and hardware.
Graphcore, which is developing AI chips and systems and was acquired by the Japanese giant in 2024, issued a single share at the value of $457 million on April 10, according to a Companies House filing. A Graphcore spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that the money was funding from SoftBank. SoftBank has been approached for comment.
At the time of the acquisition, SoftBank said U.K.-based Graphcore would collaborate with the company on developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) — when AI matches or surpasses human intelligence.
The fresh funds would be a “portion” of the money Graphcore is expecting from SoftBank this year, a person familiar with arrangements between the companies told CNBC, who asked to remain anonymous as they were not authorized to discuss private details.
AI has been a huge area of investment for SoftBank in recent years, as it funneled tens of billions of dollars into the sector, including a big stake in OpenAI and infrastructure commitments.
Once touted as a rival to Nvidia, Graphcore raised hundreds of millions of dollars but struggled to gain commercial traction before it was acquired by SoftBank.
Since SoftBank acquired Graphcore, it has announced several AI infrastructure investments, including its involvement in the $500 billion Stargate project, in partnership with OpenAI and Oracle.
SoftBank is planning to create and list a standalone AI and robotics company in the U.S. as early as this year, the Financial Times reported in April. The company is also discussing a large French AI data center project in France, Bloomberg reported on Monday.
Masayoshi Son, SoftBank founder and CEO, previously described Graphcore as “a company with deep expertise in chip design, which further builds on Arm’s leadership in semiconductor IP.”
In 2016, SoftBank also acquired a majority stake in Arm, which then listed on the Nasdaq in 2023. SoftBank also acquired silicon design company Ampere Computing in 2025.
In October, Graphcore announced it would invest up to £1 billion into opening a new AI campus in Bengaluru, India. It’s hiring for hundreds of roles across AI, silicon, software and systems engineering, according to its website.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram
Watch on YouTube

Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im

Technologies

Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer

Summer Travel, Freedom, and Seamless Connectivity: Why Verum E-SIM Is Becoming the New Standard for Travelers

Summer is the peak season for vacations, long-distance trips, and new experiences. Millions of people travel abroad, explore new countries, plan adventures, and try to stay connected with family, work, and social media. And in the middle of all this comes a familiar question: how do you stay online without expensive roaming or the hassle of buying local SIM cards?

The answer is already here — eSIM.

Why eSIM Is So Convenient

eSIM (embedded SIM) is a built-in digital SIM card that lets you activate mobile internet without a physical card. All you need is an app — choose a plan and connect in just a couple of minutes.

No more:

* searching for local SIM cards at airports
* paying expensive roaming fees
* swapping physical SIMs every time you travel

Now your internet travels with you.

Internet in 150+ Countries

Modern eSIM solutions provide coverage in 150+ countries worldwide, helping tourists, freelancers, and business travelers stay connected almost anywhere on the planet.

Among the services offering these capabilities:

Verum E-SIM — https://esim.verum.im
World E-SIM — https://worldesim.me
USA E-SIM — https://usa.esim.verum.im
Euro E-SIM — https://euro.esim.verum.im
Canada E-SIM — https://canada.esim.verum.im
Balkan E-SIM — https://balkan.esim.verum.im
Ukraine E-SIM — https://ukraine.esim.verum.im
London E-SIM — https://london.esim.verum.im
E-SIM Africa — https://africa.esim.verum.im