RISC-V
RISC-V dominates embedded silicon; the open question through 2027 is whether SiFive, Tenstorrent and the cores Qualcomm and Meta bought (Ventana, Rivos) can match Arm Neoverse in the datacentre.
Research snapshot · updated Jun 25, 2026
Core thesis
RISC-V eliminates licensing fees and enables custom chip design. China is aggressively adopting RISC-V as a way to escape ARM licensing and x86 patent restrictions. Alibaba's Xuantie, SiFive, and Tenstorrent are leading RISC-V chip designers. The architecture is proven for embedded/IoT; the open question is whether it can compete in high-performance computing.
State of the art (2026)
RISC-V is entrenched in high-volume embedded silicon - storage controllers, IoT, MCUs - and is now pushing into application-class compute. The RVA23 application profile (ratified October 2024) gives OS distributions a single 64-bit target, and the RISC-V Server Platform spec is in final ratification, unlocking certified Linux servers. SiFive raised a $400m Series G in April 2026 at a $3.65bn valuation, its last private round before a planned IPO, while Tenstorrent, Ventana and Rivos race datacentre-class cores against Arm Neoverse. China is the structural accelerant: T-Head, StarFive and Loongson treat RISC-V as sanctions-resilient infrastructure. The soft spot is consumer mobile - Google pulled RISC-V from the Android common kernel in May 2024, leaving no mainstream phone path.
Explore the deeper analysis in CanaryIQ
Explore what is covered below. These previews show the structure; log in to read the full analysis.
Signal stack
Evidence stacked leading → lagging
9 signals
Signal stack
Evidence stacked leading → lagging
Technology-native KPIs
Metrics that predict trajectory, tracked over time
4 tracked
Technology-native KPIs
Metrics that predict trajectory, tracked over time
Landscape map
Who builds what — and who depends on whom
129 players · 6 layers
Landscape map
Who builds what — and who depends on whom
Catalyst calendar
Dated events that will move the position
5 ahead
Catalyst calendar
Dated events that will move the position
Technology roadmap
Milestones on the path to maturity
9 milestones
Technology roadmap
Milestones on the path to maturity
Watchlists
Companies, people and papers — each with a remove-by condition
20 · 20
Watchlists
Companies, people and papers — each with a remove-by condition
Decision frameworks
The same call, framed for your desk
Locked
Decision frameworks
The same call, framed for your desk
Thesis changelog
When our view changed, and why
5 updates
Thesis changelog
When our view changed, and why
Change our mind
3 disconfirming conditions
You've read the verdict. The file is much deeper.
The full signal stack, technology-native KPIs tracked over time, the landscape of who depends on whom, the dated catalyst calendar, decision frameworks for every desk, live watchlists and the changelog of every time our call on RISC-V has changed — all live inside CanaryIQ.