American Megatrends BIOS

American Megatrends (now branded as AMI) is a cornerstone of the global computing industry, specializing in the development of firmware solutions such as BIOS and UEFI. Founded in 1985 by Subramonian Shankar and Pat Sarma, the company initially produced motherboards before pivoting to become the world's leading provider of system firmware. Its software is essential for the boot-up process of approximately 70% of server platforms and a vast majority of personal computers worldwide.

While the intellectual property and software development are primarily centered in the United States, the brand operates as a global multinational with offices and engineering centers in countries including India, China, Germany, Japan, and Taiwan. The software itself is integrated into hardware manufactured by various third-party OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) across the globe, making its production truly international.

In terms of ownership, AMI has evolved from a private firm founded by individuals to a private equity-backed entity. Following a significant investment by HGGC in 2019, it was announced in September 2024 that THL Partners (Thomas H. Lee Partners) acquired a majority stake in the company. As of 2026, THL Partners remains the ultimate owner, steering the brand's focus toward modern computing needs like AI, cloud security, and orchestration.