French Ardian raises over $1 billion to invest in semiconductor makers

Nov 9 (Reuters) - French-based investment manager Ardian has raised €1 billion ($1.12 billion) for its private-equity platform dedicated for semiconductor businesses, which will target growing companies in Europe, North America and Asia.

Chips are central to AI advances, with governments increasingly backing homegrown companies to secure sovereign technology.

• The platform, named Ardian Semiconductor, will invest in companies across the whole chain of making computer chips

• The €1 billion platform includes nearly €700 million in fund commitments, alongside co-investments, as AI needs reshape demand for semiconductors, the company said

• Global chip sales exceeded $1 trillion in the first eight months of this year, a milestone not previously expected before 2030, Ardian said citing data from industry body SIA

• It also said the market is now forecast to reach around $1.6 trillion in 2026 and $2.5 trillion by 2030, as demand extends beyond processors and memory, since AI data centres require more specialist equipment

• The fund has invested in four companies: French-based VSORA, Synergie CAD, Ion Beam Services and Germany's centrotherm

($1 = 0.8961 euros)

(Reporting by Mateusz Rabiega; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)