SoftBank (SFTBY) Stock; Rises on Intel Partnership for Next-Gen AI Memory

TLDRs;

• SoftBank partners with Intel to develop next-gen Z-Angle Memory for AI workloads.
• The memory aims for higher capacity and lower power than conventional HBM.
• Japanese consortium and government funding support SoftBank’s AI memory push.
• Market views partnership positively, boosting SFTBY stock amid AI tech growth.

SoftBank Corp. shares (SFTBY) rose modestly on news that the company’s subsidiary, Saimemory, has entered a strategic partnership with Intel to develop next-generation memory solutions aimed at AI and data center applications.

Investors responded positively to the announcement, viewing the collaboration as a potential driver for future growth in cutting-edge semiconductor technology.

SoftBank Group Corp., SFTBY

Partnership Targets High-Capacity Memory

Saimemory, established in late 2024, specializes in advanced memory research and development. Under the new agreement, the company and Intel will collaborate on Z-Angle Memory (ZAM), a next-generation technology designed to improve performance while reducing power consumption. The initiative aims to produce working prototypes by fiscal year 2027, with commercialization planned by FY2029.

The joint venture seeks to offer an alternative to conventional High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), promising two to three times the storage capacity of current HBM solutions while using approximately half the power. By leveraging new interconnection techniques and combining patents and intellectual property from Intel and the University of Tokyo, Saimemory aims to deliver a memory solution that could redefine efficiency standards in AI workloads.

Funding and Support Structure

The collaboration will be supported by a consortium of Japanese industrial and research institutions, including Fujitsu and Riken National Research Institute, along with partial subsidies from the Japanese government. SoftBank itself is contributing roughly $20 million to the project.

Intel’s role includes providing engineering expertise, stacking technology, and knowledge from its Next Generation DRAM Bonding initiative, part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Memory Technology (AMT) program.

This structured funding and technological backing underscores the strategic importance of the partnership, which aligns with Japan’s broader goal of strengthening domestic semiconductor capabilities through international collaboration. Analysts note that such partnerships can accelerate the development of competitive memory technologies and reduce reliance on dominant players such as Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron.

AI Workloads Drive Innovation

Memory is increasingly becoming a critical bottleneck in high-performance computing, particularly for AI and large-scale data-center applications. By co-designing memory and compute systems rather than focusing solely on processors, the SoftBank-Intel initiative aims to optimize performance for demanding AI workloads. The partners’ stated goal is to deliver solutions capable of supporting next-generation AI models efficiently and cost-effectively.

Independent observers highlight that the collaboration represents a strategic effort to create an HBM substitute amid supply constraints. By combining Intel’s foundational DRAM innovations with Japanese industrial policy support, the project could emerge as a key enabler for AI infrastructure both in Japan and internationally.

Market Implications and Future Outlook

Investors have welcomed the news, driving SFTBY shares higher, reflecting optimism about SoftBank’s role in next-generation semiconductor development. While prototypes are still several years away, the long-term potential of Z-Angle Memory technology positions SoftBank as a notable player in the emerging AI memory market.

Analysts caution, however, that commercialization risks remain, including technical challenges in scaling the technology and market competition from established memory manufacturers.

Nonetheless, the collaboration signals SoftBank’s continued commitment to investing in foundational technologies that support AI and data-center growth. With the combination of financial backing, technical expertise, and government support, the partnership could pave the way for innovative memory solutions that significantly enhance AI infrastructure globally.

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