Ceva secured a major artificial intelligence licensing win during the second quarter of 2026 as a leading global AI and computing platform company selected its NeuPro-M neural processing unit IP for next-generation custom AI silicon.
The agreement expands Ceva’s AI licensing business into a new category of platform customer that controls both the underlying hardware and operating-system environment. Ceva believes that combination creates opportunities to provide more IP, software and system-level expertise within individual customer designs.
The AI win contributed to licensing and related revenue increasing 21% year-over-year to $18.2 million, its highest quarterly level in three years. Trailing 12-month licensing and related revenue increased 13% to $69.6 million.
Ceva signed 10 licensing agreements during Q2, including two with first-time customers and two directly with OEMs. Additional connectivity agreements were signed with customers across the U.S., Europe, China and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
The company’s connectivity portfolio also gained additional adoption. A high-volume U.S. semiconductor company added a third-party chip using Ceva’s Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth Low Energy IP, while another U.S. customer expanded from licensing an individual baseband component to Ceva’s complete baseband processing subsystem.
Total Q2 revenue increased 13% to $29 million. Royalty revenue reached $10.8 million, up 1% year-over-year and 17% sequentially, supported by wireless connectivity shipments, automotive AI programs and improving smartphone royalties.
Non-GAAP operating income increased to $3.1 million from $0.8 million, while non-GAAP operating margin expanded to 11% from 3%. Ceva’s GAAP operating loss narrowed to $2.1 million from $4.5 million.
Ceva’s broader Smart Edge portfolio spans Edge AI NPUs, AI DSPs, 5G, cellular IoT, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, UWB, sensor fusion and embedded software. More than 21 billion devices incorporating Ceva technology have shipped across a customer base exceeding 400 companies.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our agreement signed in the quarter with a leading global AI and computing platform company represents an important expansion of our AI customer base. By combining hardware IP, software and system-level expertise, Ceva can deepen its role in customer designs, increase its content opportunity and support larger, longer-term relationships.”
Amir Panush, Chief Executive Officer Of Ceva
“Licensing and related revenues reached $18.2 million in the quarter, while trailing-twelve-month licensing and related revenues increased 13% to $69.6 million, demonstrating sustained momentum in the business.”
Yaniv Arieli, Chief Financial Officer Of Ceva
