Broadcom acquired VMware in 2023 and is frequently ranked among the world's largest companies by market capitalization.
Broadcom is a major designer and supplier of semiconductor and infrastructure software products. Its technology is used in networking equipment, broadband systems, wireless devices, storage systems, and data centers. The company does not primarily manufacture chips in its own factories; it relies heavily on contract manufacturers.
Broadcom's modern corporate history began with Avago Technologies, which acquired the original Broadcom Corporation in 2016 and adopted the Broadcom name. The resulting company expanded beyond semiconductors through large acquisitions, including CA Technologies in 2018 and VMware in 2023.
A common mix-up is confusing Broadcom Inc. with the original Broadcom Corporation. They are connected, but Broadcom Inc. is the successor company formed through Avago's acquisition. Market capitalization also changes daily with share prices, so rankings can move even when a company's business has not changed.