Chipmaker Conexant Systems Inc. on Thursday said it’s acquired 1.7 million shares,about $10 million worth,of Acquicor Technology Inc. of Newport Beach, which won shareholder approval Thursday afternoon for its takeover of Jazz Semiconductor Inc.
The deal provides a direct link between the two companies, which up to now were about a degree of separation away from each other.
Conexant is a big shareholder in Newport Beach-based Jazz. Newport Beach-based Conexant sold its stake in Jazz to Acquicor.
In addition to the Conexant buy, Acquicor officers bought another $7.3 million worth of shares, according to the company.
Acquicor was formed last year by former Apple Inc. leaders Gilbert Amelio, Ellen Hancock and Steve Wozniak. It’s a “blank check” company formed to acquire a technology company.
Last year, Acquicor went public and had a recent market value of about $190 million.
In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing this week, Amelio, Hancock and Wozniak agreed to reduce the number of shares owned by about 35%.
Acquicor offered $260 million for Jazz last year and has been arranging financing. Acquicor spokeswoman Kate Sidorovich said the deal should close by Feb. 23.
Conexant spokeswoman Gwen Carlson declined to elaborate on the company’s investment until after the deal closes.
