Semiconductor startup Netrasemi has successfully raised Rs 10 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Unicorn India Ventures. The funds will be used to advance the development of its innovative machine learning (ML) system-on-chip (SoC) designs, specifically the Netra A2000 and Netra R1000, as the company focuses on enabling Edge AI for Internet of Things (IoT) products.
Netrasemi specializes in designing AI/ML-capable SoCs tailored for smart IoT devices. These chips are designed to perform advanced AI analytics locally, reducing reliance on cloud computing and enhancing device efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness.
With a team of 61 professionals, Netrasemi has developed a range of SoCs capable of handling over 100 AI/ML use cases. The company targets key industries such as medical devices, telecom, and industrial automation, drawing significant interest from global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) over the past year.
Netrasemi has already reported $0.75 million in profits from chip design and porting services provided to strategic partners. The company is forecasting a 150% revenue increase in FY25, driven by intellectual property (IP) licensing, with an expectation for exponential growth beginning in FY27 with the mass production of its chips.
The startup has received backing from Indian government programs like MeitY’s DLI and C2S initiatives, as well as international accelerators such as Taiwan’s TTA. Anil Joshi, Managing Partner at Unicorn India Ventures, expressed confidence in Netrasemi’s future, stating, “Edge AI is a transformative technology, and Netrasemi is well-positioned to seize this opportunity. Their innovative SoCs for edge devices represent significant advancements in the sector.”
Netrasemi’s flagship SoCs—Netra R1000, Netra A2000, and Netra A4000—feature patented graph-stream hardware acceleration, optimizing performance and energy efficiency. These chips are designed for various applications including surveillance, smart sensors, industrial automation, robotics, drones, and autonomous vehicles.
Co-founder Jyothis Indirabhai emphasized the milestone, saying, “Netrasemi’s AI/ML SoCs will be the first from India for intelligent edge devices. With this funding, we aim to accelerate innovation and expand our impact globally.”
Netrasemi is an emerging leader in the semiconductor industry, specializing in advanced chip design and innovative semiconductor solutions. The company focuses on catering to the growing demands of sectors like automotive, telecommunications, and consumer electronics with its cutting-edge technology and robust R&D capabilities. It’s expertise lies in developing high-performance, energy-efficient chips that drive modern electronic systems, enabling smarter and more connected devices. With a commitment to sustainability and technological excellence, Netrasemi is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of semiconductor innovation and supporting global digital transformation efforts.
