The global chip design industry has played a central role in shaping modern technology. From powering smartphones and personal computers to enabling cloud infrastructure and 5G networks, chip designers have become key players in the digital economy. Between 2018 and 2024, eight companies led the market by revenue, collectively generating $821 million.

These firms produce the core components used in devices, systems, and data networks across the world. This list ranks the top eight chip designers by total revenue over the seven-year period, highlighting their market roles, business growth, and annual performance.

According to Data Track, here are the top 8 world’s chip designers by revenue (2018-2024)

NVIDIA – $257,079 million
Founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang, Chris Malachowsky, and Curtis Priem, NVIDIA has grown into a dominant force in the semiconductor industry, shaping the future of graphics processing units (GPUs), artificial intelligence (AI), and deep learning. The company’s GeForce GTX and RTX series have revolutionised gaming and high-performance computing, setting new standards for visual fidelity and processing power. Beyond gaming, NVIDIA’s GPUs power AI models, data centers, and autonomous vehicles, making it a cornerstone of modern computing. The company recorded the highest revenue of $10,084 million in 2024, with its lowest revenue of $2,100 million in 2018, reflecting steady growth and market expansion.

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Qualcomm – $165,750 million
Qualcomm, founded in 1985 by Irwin Jacobs, Andrew Viterbi, and Franklin Antonio, is synonymous with cutting-edge wireless communication technology. The company pioneered key advancements in mobile connectivity, from CDMA to 5G, facilitating global digital transformation. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors are the backbone of most smartphones today, enabling high-speed processing, AI capabilities, and superior energy efficiency. The company reached its highest revenue of $10,084 million in 2024, while its lowest revenue was $3,567 million in 2019, highlighting its consistent growth in mobile, automotive, and IoT markets.

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Broadcom Inc – $141,673 million
Broadcom, an American semiconductor giant, designs, develops, and supplies a diverse range of infrastructure software and semiconductor solutions. The company’s innovative portfolio spans data center networking, enterprise storage, broadband solutions, and wireless connectivity. Broadcom plays a crucial role in maintaining global communication infrastructure, with its chips powering routers, switches, and AI-driven cloud computing services. From 2018 to 2024, Broadcom generated total revenue of $141,673 million, with its lowest revenue of $4,082 million in 2019 and its peak revenue reaching $8,218 million in 2024.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) – $104,994 million
AMD, founded in 1969, has built a strong reputation as a challenger to Intel in the CPU market and NVIDIA in the GPU space. The company specialises in high-performance computing, delivering cutting-edge CPUs (Ryzen series), GPUs (Radeon series), and advanced AI-driven processors. AMD’s aggressive innovation has led to breakthroughs in gaming, workstation computing, and cloud infrastructure. Between 2018 and 2024, AMD generated $104,994 million in revenue, with its highest revenue of $7,658 million in 2024 and its lowest revenue of $1,272 million in 2018.

MediaTek – $85,345 million
MediaTek is a Taiwan-based semiconductor company focused on delivering powerful and energy-efficient chipsets for mobile devices, smart TVs, and connectivity solutions. It has gained prominence in budget and mid-range smartphones by offering high-performance processors at competitive prices. MediaTek’s advancements in AI-driven processing, 5G connectivity, and multimedia experiences have solidified its place as a global leader in mobile computing. From 2018 to 2024, MediaTek achieved total revenue of $85,345 million, with its minimum revenue of $1,710 million in 2018 and a peak revenue of $5,290 million in 2022.

Marvell – $26,969 million
Marvell Technology Group, established in 1995, specialises in semiconductor solutions for storage, networking, and connectivity applications. The company has played an instrumental role in building efficient data center and cloud computing technologies, helping enterprises enhance performance and scalability. Marvell focuses on 5G infrastructure, automotive solutions, and AI-driven systems. Between 2018 and 2024, Marvell generated $26,969 million in total revenue, with its lowest revenue of $659 million in 2019 and its highest revenue of $1,717 million in 2024.

Novatek – $20,084 million
Novatek is a Taiwan-based semiconductor company specialising in display technology, embedded processor solutions, and multimedia chips. The company’s products are widely used in LCD panels, smart TVs, and consumer electronics, providing efficient display processing and image enhancement. Novatek has established itself as a leader in screen optimisation technologies, helping major electronics brands enhance visual quality. From 2018 to 2024, Novatek amassed $20,084 million in total revenue, with its lowest revenue of $485 million in 2018 and a peak revenue of $1,376 million in 2021.

Realtek – $18,704 million
Realtek, a Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer, is best known for its high-quality audio and networking solutions. Its chips are embedded in countless consumer devices, including computers, routers, and smart home systems. Realtek plays a vital role in enhancing audio fidelity, internet connectivity, and home automation through cost-efficient yet high-performance chips. Between 2018 and 2024, Realtek generated $18,704 million in total revenue, with its lowest revenue of $416 million in 2018 and its highest revenue of $1,044 million in 2021.

Mortius Peters is a result driven data scientist, data analyst, journalist, and writer at BusinessDay Media Limited, where he works in the Audience Engagement department. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Mortius combines data science, journalism, and storytelling to gently guide readers toward solving real-world challenges through insightful and engaging content. He currently specializes in crafting listicles that illuminate economic and financial issues, making complex data accessible and actionable. As a passionate researcher and financial analyst, he sees data as the cornerstone of sustainable development and economic growth.

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