Intel has reportedly agreed to provide technology from its low power Atom processor family to Rosaic, a chip startup led by an executive with previous business ties to Intel CEO Lip Bu Tan.
The arrangement is said to include the transfer of register transfer level code, commonly known as RTL. This would give Rosaic detailed access to the logic behind parts of Intel’s Atom architecture and could help the startup develop customised processors based on that technology.
Rosaic is led by Amarjit Gill, who previously worked with Tan through semiconductor investments and startup projects. The two were involved with high performance processor company Nuvia and later worked on the establishment of RISC V chip company Rivos.
Intel has not publicly explained the commercial terms of the agreement, the exact technology being transferred or the products Rosaic intends to build.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Technology provider | Intel |
| Recipient | Rosaic |
| Processor family | Intel Atom |
| Material transferred | Register transfer level code |
| Rosaic leader | Amarjit Gill |
| Main opportunity | Development of customised low power chips |
| Commercial terms | Not disclosed |
RTL access could provide deep insight into Atom designs
RTL code describes the digital logic of a processor and how information moves between its registers and other hardware blocks.
It sits at an important stage of chip development, before the design is converted into the physical layout used for manufacturing. Access to this code can provide a company with a detailed understanding of how a processor performs calculations, handles data and controls different functions.
Providing RTL is therefore more significant than simply licensing a completed chip or selling a standard processor.
Rosaic could potentially modify the design for specialised markets, add its own features or combine Intel technology with other components. The final level of freedom will depend on the licensing agreement and restrictions placed on Intel’s intellectual property.
The report does not establish whether Rosaic will receive the complete Atom architecture or only selected parts of it.
Atom targets low power and infrastructure markets
Intel originally developed Atom processors for devices that required lower energy use and compact designs.
Earlier generations appeared in small computers, tablets and mobile products, including systems designed to run Android. The family later became more focused on networking, edge computing, embedded systems and selected server workloads.
Intel refreshed parts of its Atom lineup in early 2026 after introducing new Atom X Series processors during the third quarter of 2025.
These newer products are designed for infrastructure applications where power efficiency, density and predictable performance can be more important than the highest possible single core speed.
Sharing this technology could allow Intel to extend the reach of Atom without developing every specialised product itself.
Rosaic has links to Tan’s earlier investment work
The deal is likely to attract attention because Rosaic is led by one of Tan’s former associates.
Tan built a long career in the semiconductor industry before becoming Intel’s chief executive in 2025. He also has extensive experience as a venture capital investor and has supported several chip startups.
Gill and Tan previously invested in Nuvia, a processor design company later acquired by Qualcomm. They were also involved in Rivos, which develops processors based on the open RISC V instruction set.
Those connections do not by themselves show that the Intel agreement is improper. However, the relationship may lead investors and industry observers to examine how the deal was reviewed and approved.
The report does not provide information about Intel’s internal approval process or whether Tan was directly involved in negotiating the transfer.
The agreement may support Intel’s custom chip strategy
Intel is trying to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence, data centre computing and semiconductor manufacturing.
While graphics processors receive much of the attention in AI systems, conventional CPUs remain essential for running operating systems, coordinating workloads, managing storage and supporting agent based software.
Low power CPU designs can also be useful in systems that require many processing cores while operating within strict energy limits.
Allowing another company to develop custom chips with Atom technology could create licensing revenue and expand Intel’s software ecosystem. It may also encourage customers to choose x86 based designs instead of competing ARM or RISC V processors.
| Architecture | Main position in the market |
|---|---|
| Intel x86 | PCs, servers and infrastructure |
| AMD x86 | PCs, servers and embedded systems |
| ARM | Mobile, low power systems and growing server use |
| RISC V | Open architecture for custom and embedded chips |
Intel and AMD remain the main global suppliers of x86 processors. A small number of Chinese companies also produce x86 compatible chips for domestic markets, but access to the architecture remains limited.
Important details remain unclear
The report does not explain which Atom generation Rosaic will receive, whether it can alter the design freely or where any resulting chips will be manufactured.
It is also unclear whether Intel will receive licence fees, ownership in Rosaic, future manufacturing orders or another form of compensation.
The success of the arrangement will depend on whether Rosaic can turn the technology into commercially useful products. Chip development requires substantial funding, software support, customer commitments and access to manufacturing capacity.
Intel may view the transfer as a way to generate more value from an established architecture while focusing its internal resources on premium processors, artificial intelligence and foundry expansion.
Until both companies provide further details, the scale of the agreement and its impact on Intel’s broader strategy remain uncertain.
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