Synopsys — BrandWiki

Synopsys

Overview

Synopsys, Inc.

equity
type	Public
traded as	nasdaq: SNPS Nasdaq-100 component S&P 500 component
key people	Aart de Geus (chairman) Sassine Ghazi (president & CEO)
industry	Integrated circuit Software as a service Software testing Internet of Things
revenue	US$7.05 billion (2025)
operating income	US$915 million (2025)
net income	US$1.33 billion (2025)
assets	US$48.2 billion (2025)

Synopsys, Inc. is an American multinational electronic design automation (EDA) company headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, that focuses on design and verification of silicon chips, electronic system-level design and verification, and reusable components (intellectual property). Synopsys supplies tools and services to the semiconductor design and manufacturing industry. Products include tools for implementation of digital and analog circuits, simulators, and debugging environments that assist in the design of chips and computer systems. In 2024, Synopsys was listed as the 12th largest software company in the world.[2]

History

Synopsys was founded by Aart de Geus, David Gregory, Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli and Bill Krieger in 1986 in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The company was initially established as Optimal Solutions with a charter to develop and market logic synthesis technology developed by the team at General Electric

num employees	c. 28,000 (2025)

divisions	Silicon Design & Verification, Silicon Intellectual Property, Software Integrity Group

foundation	1986, in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, U.S.

founders	Aart de Geus David Gregory Bill KriegerAlberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli

hq location	Sunnyvale, California, U.S.

website	synopsys.com

footnotes	Financials as of October 31, 2025.‡R1R‡

Geographic presence

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Synopsys maintains extensive office locations worldwide, including a strong presence across North America, Asia, and Europe. The company has approximately 6800 employees in the United States.[24] Synopsys has several offices in India, specifically, Bengaluru, Noida, and Hyderabad. As of 2025, Synopsys' workforce numbers approximately 28000 worldwide, with thousands of employees distributed across additional offices and remote locations, including significant operations in Canada, Mexico, Armenia, Singapore, and other regions.[25][26] Its international offices can be found in cities such as Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver (Canada); Yerevan and Gyumri (Armenia); Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Noida (India); Penang (Malaysia); and Singapore, among others.[26]

Synopsys operates on a global scale, with its business spread across several major regions and markets. The United States is the company’s largest market, contributing 44.71% of total revenue in fiscal year 2024 (approximately $2.74 billion). Other significant markets include China, which represented 16.15% of revenue ($989.52 million); Korea, accounting for 12.62% ($773.02 million); and Europe, with 10.03% ($614.58 million). The company also recorded 16.49% of its revenue ($1.01 billion) under the "Other Countries" category, highlighting a diversified international footprint.[27]

Business in the United States

In addition to doing business with multiple American chip design and system integration companies, Synopsys maintains government contracts, which are often focused on research and development initiatives.

In 2020, the United States Department of Defense announced Synopsys as a partner in U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Automatic Implementation of Secure Silicon (AISS) research program along with ARM, Boeing, IBM, and other entities focused on developing automated design tools for secure chips.[28][29] In October 2022, Synopsys joined Intel's US Military Aerospace and Government Alliance (USMAG), under which Synopsys supplies secure EDA tools, IP, and design services for the US DoD and other government branches along with other chip design companies including Cadence and Siemens EDA.[30]

Adoption of AI technologies

In the early 2010s, Synopsys launched its Smart Everything Everywhere initiative to explore applications of artificial intelligence within electronic design automation tools.[45] This strategy envisioned the integration of intelligent capabilities into electronic design automation tools, positioning Synopsys to leverage AI for addressing the increasing complexity of semiconductor design challenges. The strategic commitment was formalized in 2017 when Synopsys engineers, inspired by Google's AlphaGo victory over Go master Lee Sedol in 2016, began developing reinforcement learning applications for electronic design automation with management approval intelligence-driven EDA solutions.[46]

In March 2020, Synopsys introduced DSO.ai (Design Space Optimization AI), a cloud-based AI-based software tool for chip design, The software uses AI (reinforcement learning) to automate logic synthesis as well as place and route decisions for circuit blocks.[47][48][49][50] The tool searches for optimization targets in large solution spaces of chip design to enhance power, performance, and area metrics.[51] According to Synopsys, DSO.ai was used in over 100 commercial chip tape-outs by 2023; the company stated that users observed increases in productivity and reductions in power consumption.[52]

In March 2023, Synopsys expanded its artificial intelligence applications by introducing VSO.ai (Verification Space Optimization) and TSO.ai (Test Space Optimization) as part of the Synopsys.ai suite.[53][54][55] VSO.ai uses machine learning to accelerate verification coverage closure and identify functional coverage gaps, while TSO.ai applies reinforcement learning to optimize test pattern generation.[56] Renesas reported achieving up to 10x improvement in reducing functional coverage holes and up to 30% increase in IP verification productivity using VSO.ai.[57]

In November 2023, Synopsys launched Synopsys.ai Copilot through a collaboration with Microsoft, integrating Azure OpenAI service to provide generative artificial intelligence capabilities for semiconductor design via the use of large language models.[58][59] Synopsys.ai Copilot supports natural language queries in chip design workflows; Synopsys asserts it may help mitigate anticipated staffing shortfalls in the semiconductor industry.[59]

As of 2025, the evolution of Synopsys' AI strategy has progressed beyond individual AI tools toward transforming entire workflows. According to industry analysis, early-career engineers in chip design traditionally spend up to 40% of their time searching for information and performing repetitive manual tasks, creating significant inefficiencies in the design process. Synopsys has responded by developing assistive AI technologies that can process large amounts of proprietary technical documentation and EDA tool logs, generate optimized code and scripts, and provide real-time debugging suggestions. Synopsys reports that some users have applied AI-based tools to tasks such as analog circuit design, register-transfer level (RTL) code generation, timing analysis, and design rule checking, with the intent of reallocating engineering effort toward more complex design activities.[60]

At the March 2025 SNUG (Synopsys User Group) conference, CEO Sassine Ghazi presented Synopsys’s strategic framework for AgentEngineer technologies, which the company describes as progressing from AI assistance toward more autonomous chip design workflows. Analogous to the classification of vehicular autonomy, this framework defines five distinct levels of automation (including existing products) designed to address the semiconductor industry’s talent shortage and empower engineers to undertake more creative, value-added work while accelerating time-to-market:[61] The transition to autonomous AI agents aims to enable engineers to focus on activities that differentiate products and accelerate time-to-market, transforming the traditional chip design process from manual workflows to AI-orchestrated automation.[60]

Mergers and acquisitions

Synopsys has grown significantly by acquiring companies in electronic design automation and related fields.[68]

Virtio Corporation

Virtio Corporation was founded in 1999 and based in Campbell, California, USA with development centers in Campbell and Livingston, Scotland, UK[69]. Virtio Corporation was a pioneering creator of Virtual SoC Platforms for early embedded software development[70]. Virtio Corporation was acquired by Synopsys in May 2006[71][72].

CoWare

CoWare development was initiated by the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre in Belgium as an internal project in 1992;[73] it spun off as an independent company, supplying platform-driven electronic system-level (ESL) design software and services, four years later.[74][75] CoWare was acquired by Synopsys in February 2010.[76][77]

Code Dx

Code Dx was an American software technology company active from 2015 to 2021. The company's self-titled flagship product is a vulnerability management system that combines and correlates the results generated by a wide variety of static and dynamic testing tools. It was acquired by Synopsys in 2021.[78]

Avanti Corporation

Avanti Corporation (styled as "Avant!") was founded when several former Cadence Design Systems employees bought the startup ArcSys, which had previously merged with Integrated Silicon Solutions (ISS),[79] gaining Avanti its design rule checking and layout versus schematic tool Hercules (including 3D silicon structure modeling). Avanti then bought Compass Design Automation, which had fully integrated IC design flow and ASIC libraries, especially its place and route tool, which Avanti reworked to create Saturn and Apollo II. Avanti also bought TMA (Technology Modeling Associates), which brought its pioneering TCAD and Proteus optical proximity correction tools. The acquisition of Avanti was Synopsys' most significant and controversial acquisition. At the time, Avanti was the No. 4 company in the EDA industry, and was struggling with a major lawsuit from Cadence for software theft.[80] Avanti was merged into Synopsys on June 6, 2002, during the litigation. Synopsys paid Cadence about $265 million to end that litigation. Soon after the settlement, the California Supreme Court upheld the lower court's earlier decision. Synopsys then paid $26.1 million to Silvaco to settle two of Silvaco's three lawsuits against

Optical Research Associates

Synopsys acquired Optical Research Associates (ORA) in 2010, including its software products CODE V and LightTools.[82]

Magma Design Automation

Synopsys agreed to buy its competitor Magma Design Automation for $507 million in an all-cash deal in November 2011.[83][84]

The two companies previously faced drawn-out, back-and-forth patent disputes, which began in 2004. These disputes arose when Synopsys claimed one of Magma's co-founders, Lukas van Ginneken, developed technology for Magma products that was based on work he conducted while employed at Synopsys. While van Ginneken later acknowledged the claim, Magma and Synopsys continued disputing each other's patents.[85] The litigations were eventually settled in 2007, with Magma paying Synopsys $12.5 million, and the companies agreeing to cross-license the disputed patents to each other.[86][87]

Ciranova

Ciranova was an EDA company which focused on analog design automation. The company authored the Python-based PyCell software now central to IPL Alliance iPDK parameterized cells (used by many foundries such as TSMC), and also developed an automatic analog layout tools called Helix.[88] Ciranova was acquired by Synopsys in 2012.[89]

Novas Software

Novas Software was a company founded in 1996 to address debugging of chip designs. Novas was purchased by Taiwan-based EDA company SpringSoft in May 2008. SpringSoft and Novas were acquired by Synopsys in 2012.

Numerical Technologies

Numerical Technologies, Inc. was a San Jose-based electronic design automation public (NASDAQ: NMTC) company. The company was primarily known for its intellectual property, software tools and services covering phase-shifting mask technology. On March 3, 2003, it was acquired by Synopsys for $250 million.[90][91]

SpringSoft

SpringSoft is a software company that developed VLSI design and debugging software. The company was founded with a grant from the Taiwanese National Science Council in February 1996.

In 1997, SpringSoft established Novas Software in Silicon Valley to market Springsoft's VLSI Debugging software. SpringSoft created a custom layout tool called Laker and a US-based company called Silicon Canvas. In May 2008, SpringSoft purchased Novas Software Silicon Canvas and combined them to form the wholly owned subsidiary SpringSoft USA. SpringSoft employed over 400 people with office locations across the world.

Synopsys announced its acquisition of SpringSoft in 2012.[92]

Synplicity

Synplicity Inc. was a supplier of software for the design of programmable logic devices (FPGAs, PLDs, and CPLDs) used for communications, military/aerospace, consumer, semiconductor, computer and other electronic systems. Synplicity's tools provided logic synthesis, physical synthesis, and verification functions for FPGA, FPGA-based ASIC prototyping, and DSP designers. Synplicity was listed on Nasdaq until it was acquired by Synopsys for $227 million in a transaction finalized on May 15, 2008.[93]

ARC International

ARC International PLC was the designer of ARC (Argonaut RISC Core) embedded processors, which were widely used in SoC devices for IoT, storage, digital home, mobile, and automotive applications. Virage Logic, which acquired ARC International in 2009, was sold to Synopsys in 2010.[94][95]

In January 2026, it was announced that Synopsys was selling its processor IP product lines, including the ARC and ARC-V CPU IP, to GlobalFoundries.[96]

MOSAID Semiconductor IP

Synopsys announced the acquisition of MOSAID's Semiconductor IP business for $15M in July 2007. Assets included double-data-rate (DDR) memory controllers and PHY semiconductor IP products.[97]

Coverity

In February 2014, Synopsys agreed to acquire static code analysis vendor Coverity for $375million. Synopsys relied on Coverity's products for around ten years prior to the acquisition, helping improve software security by finding and fixing defects in software code before its release.[98][99]

Coverity's open-source Coverity Scan tool was hacked and used for cryptocurrency mining in February 2018. Synopsys took down the service for four weeks and confirmed the incident did not affect any of its corporate network and found no evidence of data abuse of its open-source users.[100]

Codenomicon

In 2015 Synopsys acquired the Finnish developer of security software Codenomicon.[101] Codenomicon had itself previously acquired the Finnish software company Clarified Networks in 2011.[102]

Cigital

Synopsys announced the acquisition of Cigital along with its 2015 spinoff Codiscope in November 2016. The suite of its software security products became part of Synopsys' software integrity group.[103][104]

Sidense

Synopsys announced the acquisition of Ottawa based-Sidense in October 2017. Sidense had developed a One-Time Programmable (OTP) Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) IP solution proven in technologies from 180nm down to 16nm. A patented split-channel 1T-Fuse bit-cell offers low power, small area, and access times as fast as 10ns.[105]

QuantumWise

In 2017 Synopsys acquired the atomic-scale modeling software company QuantumWise (former Atomistix), which provides tools for quantum-based and classical simulations in the field of material science.[106][107]

Black Duck Software

Black Duck Software was a privately held company focused on automating the process of identifying and creating an inventory of open source code used in software applications, as well as detecting known security vulnerabilities and license compliance issues. It ran the Open Hub website. Black Duck Software was acquired by Synopsys in December 2017 for $565 million[108] and integrated into the Software Integrity Group (SIG)[109] until it was spun out.[110] In October 2024, the private equity firms Clearlake Capital and Francisco Partners completed the acquisition of the Synopsys Software Integrity Group (SIG) to reestablish Black Duck Software as an independent standalone application security company. The transaction, first announced in May 2024, was valued at up to $2.1 billion, including $475 million in cash.[111]

WhiteHat Security

In April 2022, Synopsys announced the acquisition of WhiteHat Security for $330 million.[112] WhiteHat Security was founded in 2001 and provides application security as well as insights for DevOps teams.[112]

PikeTec

In 2023, Synopsys completed the acquisition of PikeTec, a provider of verification and testing tools for automotive software.[113]

Intrinsic ID

In March 2024, Synopsys announced it had acquired the Internet of things digital authentication company Intrinsic ID for an undisclosed amount.[114]

Ansys

In January 2024, Synopsys announced its intention to acquire engineering software company Ansys for $35billion.[115] That would expand Synopsys' prominence in simulation software and systems design for chip designers, automobiles, airplanes. The companies have had a research and development partnership since 2017.[116][117]

The Federal Trade Commission required Synopsys to divest certain assets as part of the acquisition.[118] Under the proposed consent order, Synopsys agreed to divest its optical and photonic software tools, while Ansys divested its PowerArtist power consumption analysis tool.[118] In September 2024, Synopsys announced it would sell its optical systems division to Keysight Technologies to address regulatory concerns.[119]