Key Stats
Qualcomm stands as a multinational semiconductor and telecommunications equipment corporation headquartered in San Diego, California. The company operates through multiple business sectors including One Technology Roadmap, Mobile, Internet of Things, Automotive, and Technology Licensing segments.
The corporation develops and manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of wireless technology products. These include processors, modems, radio frequency systems, connectivity solutions, and various platforms for mobile computing, automotive, industrial applications, and extended reality devices.
Qualcomm maintains leadership in wireless communications through its Snapdragon processors and 5G technology. The company licenses its extensive intellectual property portfolio to manufacturers worldwide while simultaneously producing semiconductor solutions for smartphones, vehicles, Internet of Things devices, and artificial intelligence applications.
Qualcomm Co-founders
Led the founding team and served as Qualcomm Chairman and CEO, pioneering CDMA technology development and establishing the company’s technological foundation.
Co-founder who contributed fundamental signal processing algorithms and served as Chief Technology Officer, developing key wireless communication technologies.
Engineering co-founder instrumental in developing early CDMA technologies and chip designs that became foundational to mobile communications.
Co-founder who helped establish early operations and contributed to business development during the company’s formative years.
Early co-founder who participated in establishing the company’s initial operations and technological direction in wireless communications.
Technical co-founder who contributed to CDMA technology development and engineering innovations during the company’s founding period.
Co-founder who helped establish Qualcomm’s early business operations and contributed to the company’s initial growth trajectory.
Qualcomm History
Qualcomm Revenue
Qualcomm generated $38.96 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2024, representing an 8.77 percent increase from the previous year.
Qualcomm Acquisitions
Qualcomm has executed strategic acquisitions to expand its technology portfolio and market reach. The company acquired SnapTrack in 2000 for approximately $1 billion in stock. This purchase brought wireless GPS technology that became integral to smartphone location services and navigation capabilities.
In 2011, Qualcomm acquired networking technology company Atheros for $3.1 billion. This acquisition strengthened Qualcomm’s connectivity solutions by adding Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and networking technologies. The Atheros purchase expanded product offerings beyond cellular communications into comprehensive wireless connectivity.
The 2015 acquisition of CSR for $2.4 billion enhanced Qualcomm’s audio, Bluetooth, and automotive technology capabilities. CSR’s expertise in low-power wireless communications complemented existing product lines. This purchase positioned Qualcomm for expansion into Internet of Things and automotive markets.
Qualcomm completed the acquisition of NUVIA in March 2021 for $1.4 billion. The CPU design startup brought exceptional talent from Apple and Google with expertise in high-performance processors. NUVIA’s technology now powers Snapdragon platforms for smartphones, laptops, and automotive systems.
The company partnered with SSW Partners in 2021 to acquire Veoneer for $4.5 billion. Qualcomm obtained Veoneer’s active safety division, which develops advanced driver assistance systems. This acquisition brought radar, LiDAR, camera-based vision, and sensor technologies for automotive applications.
In 2025, Qualcomm acquired Israeli semiconductor company Autotalks to enhance vehicle-to-everything communications capabilities. The acquisition completed in June 2025 added specialized V2X chipset technology supporting both DSRC and C-V2X standards. This purchase strengthened the Snapdragon Digital Chassis automotive platform for connected vehicle deployments.
Qualcomm Market Cap
Qualcomm maintains a market capitalization of approximately $195 billion as of November 2024, ranking among the largest semiconductor companies globally.
Qualcomm Competitors
Qualcomm operates in the competitive semiconductor and wireless technology industry facing numerous established rivals.
| Competitor | Primary Products |
|---|---|
| MediaTek | Smartphone processors, wireless connectivity, IoT chips |
| Apple | Custom silicon processors, mobile chipsets |
| Samsung | Exynos processors, semiconductors, memory chips |
| Intel | Computer processors, modem chips, semiconductor solutions |
| Broadcom | Wireless communications, networking chips |
| NVIDIA | Graphics processors, AI accelerators, automotive chips |
| AMD | Computer processors, graphics solutions |
| Marvell Technology | Data infrastructure semiconductors, networking solutions |
| Texas Instruments | Analog chips, embedded processors |
| NXP Semiconductors | Automotive chips, secure connectivity solutions |
FAQs
When was Qualcomm founded?
Qualcomm was founded in July 1985 by seven former Linkabit colleagues who met at Irwin Jacobs’s home. The company name derives from quality communications, reflecting its founding mission to develop superior wireless technology.
What does Qualcomm manufacture?
Qualcomm manufactures semiconductor products including Snapdragon processors, modem chips, radio frequency systems, and connectivity solutions. The company produces chips for smartphones, automotive systems, Internet of Things devices, and wireless infrastructure equipment globally.
Who are Qualcomm competitors?
Qualcomm’s primary competitors include MediaTek, Apple, Samsung, Intel, and Broadcom. These companies compete in smartphone processors, wireless connectivity, semiconductor manufacturing, and licensing of intellectual property across global markets.
What is Qualcomm known for?
Qualcomm is known for developing CDMA wireless technology and Snapdragon mobile processors. The company pioneered 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G telecommunications standards. Qualcomm maintains extensive patent portfolios and licenses wireless technology to manufacturers worldwide.
How many employees does Qualcomm have?
Qualcomm employed approximately 49,000 people globally as of fiscal year 2024. The workforce decreased by 2 percent from the previous year. Employees work across research, development, engineering, sales, and operations in multiple countries.