$300M for 70K Viewers | Intel x Elon, OpenAI x TBPN, Citrini's Strait of Hormuz Stunt
Podcast: Semi DopedPublished On: Tue Apr 07 2026
Description: Intel Foundry just partnered with Elon Musk’s Terafab. What is Terafab anyway, why vertically integrated fabs make sense but the economics don’t (yet!), and what Intel is doing here (hint: no idea).Then: OpenAI acquires TBPN for an estimated $100-300M. Not sure why, but the more interesting thing is the value of niche audiences when five companies control a trillion dollars in AI capex.And finally, Citrini Research sent an analyst to the Strait of Hormuz with a Pelican case full of spy gear, $15K cash, and Cuban cigars. The most unhinged research trip in Substack history.Austin Lyons — Chipstrat (https://chipstrat.com) Vik Sekar — Vik's Newsletter (https://www.viksnewsletter.com)Subscribe for weekly episodes on semiconductors, AI, infrastructure, and the business of chips.
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