Arm Holdings plc is a British multinational semiconductor and software design company headquartered in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1990 as Advanced RISC Machines Ltd., it specializes in the design of central processing unit (CPU) cores that implement the ARM architecture, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) design. The company's semiconductor intellectual property (IP) designs are key to mobile devices, AI chips, embedded systems, and increasingly servers. Arm's IP licenses form the backbone of billions of chips produced annually by partners like Qualcomm, Apple, and Samsung, making it a pivotal player in the global semiconductor ecosystem. Beyond CPU designs, Arm provides software development tools (e.g., DS-5, RealView, Keil), system-on-a-chip (SoC) infrastructure, platforms, and holds stakes in various tech ventures as a holding company.

Since its acquisition by Japan's SoftBank Group in 2016 for $32 billion, Arm has expanded its influence in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, automotive, and IoT. The company went public again in 2023 on the Nasdaq, valued at over $50 billion, underscoring its strategic importance amid U.S.-China tech tensions. Arm's designs are subject to export controls, notably restrictions on advanced chips to China in 2023. It has faced scrutiny for its role in enabling Huawei's chip development before U.S. sanctions, and allegations of indirect foreign influence through SoftBank ties. Arm employs around 6,000 people and generates revenue primarily through IP licensing, royalties, and technical services, positioning it at the intersection of global supply chains and geopolitical influence networks, including consultations with firms like Goodwin Procter on international matters.