Huawei launched Hubble Technology Investment Co. in response to US sanctions in 2019, a wholly owned subsidiary aimed at accelerating China's push for semiconductor independence. Hubble has since become a cornerstone of Huawei's strategy to localize its supply chain, with investments spanning chip design, fabrication equipment, semiconductor materials, and EDA software.
Hubble's investment strategy has evolved beyond upstream hardware. The firm now targets AI-centric applications, including smart devices, sensor platforms, servo controls, and the integration of large-scale AI models in robotics, broadening Huawei's capabilities from silicon to system-level AI deployment.
Hubble has invested in more than 100 companies, with over a dozen now publicly traded. According to Qichacha data reported by Yicai Global and TrendForce in May, Huawei recently acquired a 1.43% stake in Spirit AI, a robotics and embodied intelligence firm based in Hangzhou.
The Spirit AI investment signals Hubble's formal entry into the humanoid robotics and embodied AI sector. While earlier efforts concentrated on third-generation semiconductors, EDA platforms, and AI chip startups, this shift reflects a move toward application-layer investments, connecting Huawei's AI stack from chip design to real-world use cases.
According to Nikkei Asia, citing data from Chinese analytics firm Itjuzi Tech Co., Hubble has invested in over 60 semiconductor-related firms since its founding. These include Suzhou Carbon Semiconductor Technology and Jiangsu Huahai Chengke New Material, spanning the full chipmaking chain—from materials and design to manufacturing and inspection. Most stakes remain under 10%. Additional data from Tianyancha shows Huawei holds equity positions in more than 50 companies.
"Huawei's overriding goal is to cultivate a supply chain it can fully control," said Tang Jin, senior research officer in the international business relations department at Mizuho Bank. "Many of its investees possess key technologies needed for next-generation semiconductors."
Beyond Hubble, Huawei is deepening ties with SiCarrier, a semiconductor equipment maker backed by the Shenzhen municipal government. The company is expected to accelerate plant construction as part of Huawei's broader push to scale domestic manufacturing capacity.
Chinese media report that while Hubble initially prioritized "domestic substitution" in critical tech sectors, it is now targeting next-gen innovations, particularly those aligned with Huawei's Ascend AI processors and HarmonyOS ecosystem.
Article edited by Jack Wu
