Qualcomm Acquires Foundries.io

Qualcomm, the US chip giant, has made a significant acquisition by purchasing UK-based embedded software developer Foundries.io. The deal, finalized for an undisclosed sum, marks a strategic move for Qualcomm in expanding its capabilities in the embedded software sector.

Foundries.io, a Cambridge-based company, had been making waves in the industry with its innovative approach to secure Linux distribution and embedded software management framework. With $11.5 million in funding, the company aimed to simplify the management of software bill of materials and enhance security through over the air (OTA) updates.

Interestingly, the acquisition of Foundries.io by Qualcomm came as a surprise to many, as just last year at Embedded World 2022, Foundries.io had hinted at the possibility of a billion-dollar IPO. Now, the company will operate as an independent subsidiary under the Qualcomm Innovation Center.

The deal was discreetly announced alongside the unveiling of the latest WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy chip at Embedded World 2023, without the need to notify investors. Following the acquisition, Ian Drew, the chairman of Foundries.io, decided to step down from his position.

Qualcomm views Foundries.io's FoundriesFactory technology as a valuable asset, especially in light of its recent partnership with Advantech announced at Embedded World 2024. The collaboration aims to provide secure AI models for edge boards and systems developed by Advantech using Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipsets like the RB3 Gen2.