Intel has secured $20 billion in its largest-ever share offering since 1971, fueling growth in AI manufacturing and chip foundry competition, with Ireland remaining a key hub.
Intel has raised $20bn in its first share sale since its 1971 listing, after investor appetite forced the company to increase the size of the deal by a third. According to reports from Silicon Republic and market data cited by Bloomberg, the offering was priced at $95 a share and attracted more than $100bn in orders. Intel’s debut on the public market took place on October 13, 1971, at $23.50 a share, marking the start of a long stretch in which the company became one of the most closely watched names in semiconductors.
The fundraising comes as Intel tries to finance a broader push into artificial intelligence manufacturing and contract chip production. The company has increased its 2026 capital spending plan to $20bn, reflecting stronger demand for central processing units as AI agents spread across enterprise and consumer systems. Intel is also trying to build a stronger foundry business to challenge Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, and Silicon Republic reported that Tesla has already been secured as a customer for Intel’s 14A process.
The move also highlights how sharply Intel’s financial strategy has changed. The company spent $82bn on share buybacks in the 2010s, but under chief executive Lip-Bu Tan it has turned to capital discipline and fresh equity to support expansion. Intel’s shares are up about 164% this year, and the company’s funding plans have been boosted by a series of large technology investments tied to AI infrastructure. Reuters-style reporting from industry sources has pointed to similar capital raising efforts at Alphabet and Oracle, while separate reports say Intel completed a $7bn capital raise in October 2025, with contributions from Nvidia and SoftBank.
Ireland remains central to Intel’s manufacturing footprint. Last month the company announced a €5bn upgrade and expansion of its Leixlip campus in County Kildare, a programme worth more than a quarter of its planned 2026 capital spending. Intel says it has invested more than €30bn in Ireland since the late 1980s and employs around 4,900 people there. The company has also committed to keeping Ireland at the heart of its manufacturing network as it scales capacity for the AI era.
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