Morrison Foerster (“MoFo”) has advised SoftBank Group Corp. (“SoftBank”) on its acquisition of Graphcore, a UK-based semiconductor and microprocessor developer.
A global deal team from MoFo represented SoftBank throughout the transaction, as Graphcore becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of SoftBank. Founded in 2016, Graphcore is a semiconductor company that develops processors specifically designed for AI and machine learning applications.
Commenting on the investment, global co-chair of MoFo’s M+A practice Gary Brown said, “The MoFo team is delighted to have advised SoftBank on its acquisition of Graphcore. This deal represents another significant investment into UK-based technology, and a company that is pushing the boundaries of AI and machine learning.”
MoFo’s global deal team was led by Ken Siegel, Tokyo Office Managing Partner and head of the Tokyo M&A team, London M&A partner Gary Brown and London M&A of counsel Luke Rowland. The global deal team included Corporate associates Sebastian Lello, James Dabell and Carlotta Pregnolato; co-lead of MoFo’s European Technology and Commercial practice Alistair Maughan; Technology Transactions associates Sana Ashcroft and Michelle Luo; UK/European Antitrust and National Security partners Marie-Claire Strawbridge and Felix Helmstädter, senior associate Alexander Eisenfeld and associate James Quirke; U.S. Antitrust partner Bradley Lui and of counsel Kerry Jones; Employment counsel Oliver Spratt; and Intellectual Property of counsel Ruth Arkley.
The London MoFo team’s involvement in SoftBank’s acquisition of Graphcore follows its recent role advising SoftBank as lead investor in a $1 billion+ investment round in UK-based autonomous driving company Wayve.
