Netrasemi's Edge AI Breakthrough: A Developer's Perspective on India's Chip Design Revolution

Netrasemi's Edge AI Breakthrough: A Developer's Perspective on India's Chip Design Revolution

Netrasemi, a Kerala-based semiconductor startup, has secured a significant USD 12.5 million (INR 107 crore) in Series A funding. This investment, led by Zoho Corporation and Unicorn India Ventures, marks a pivotal moment in India’s semiconductor and deep-tech landscape. For developers, this funding signals a promising future for fabless chip design and the advancement of Edge AI solutions.

The Rise of Fabless Chip Design in India

Founded in 2020 by Jyothis Indirabhai, Sreejith Varma, and Deepa Geetha, Netrasemi is at the forefront of building system-on-chip (SoC) solutions tailored for Edge AI computing. These SoCs are designed to process AI and video workloads directly on devices, eliminating the need for cloud dependency. This innovation is crucial for applications such as surveillance, industrial robotics, smart homes, retail systems, and infrastructure.

Key Features of Netrasemi’s SoCs

• Domain-Specific Architecture (DSA)**: Netrasemi's DSA is optimized for specific use cases, providing the performance and power efficiency required for real-time on-premise AI computing.
• In-House Silicon IP Cores**: The company has developed its own silicon intellectual property cores, ensuring that the chips are cost-effective and power-efficient.
• Advanced AI and Video Analytics**: Netrasemi’s SoCs are designed to handle complex AI and video analytics tasks, making them ideal for real-time applications.

Funding Purpose and Strategic Expansion

The newly acquired capital will be used to:

1. Accelerate Research and Development (R&D): Netrasemi plans to double its R&D efforts to stay at the cutting edge of SoC design.
2. Expand Manufacturing Capacity: The company aims to scale its production to meet growing demand.
3. Enhance Marketing Outreach: Netrasemi will expand its market presence to reach a broader audience.
4. Double the Workforce: The company plans to increase its engineering team from 83 to 166 engineers.
5. Launch Four New SoC Variants: Netrasemi is developing new SoC variants with advanced AI and video analytics capabilities.
6. Strengthen OEM Engagements: The company will deepen its collaborations with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Current Developments and Roadmap

Netrasemi has already completed the development of two Edge AI chips, which are currently in the tapeout stage. These include a video analytics chip and a microcontroller chip for IoT sensors. The company is also working on a CCTV AI camera chip specifically for the Indian market, where government initiatives to localize surveillance infrastructure are creating strong demand.

Next-Generation SoCs

In the next 12 to 18 months, Netrasemi plans to develop next-generation ultra-high-performance SoCs targeted at edge servers and smart NVR compute platforms. These advancements will further solidify the company's position in the global Edge AI market.

Backers’ Vision: Betting on India’s Deep-Tech Future

This funding round is more than just a capital infusion; it represents a strategic alignment of long-term R&D and national capability building. Zoho Corporation, India’s third-largest SaaS company, sees this investment as an expansion of its deep-tech ambitions. Shailesh Davey, Co-founder and CEO of Zoho, remarked, “Our interests with Netrasemi align on the R&D front, especially in areas such as robotics, AI, and edge processing. We are supporting indigenous IP and enabling globally competitive products to be built in India.”

Anil Joshi, Managing Partner at Unicorn India Ventures, added, “The global Edge AI market is growing fast, and we need energy-efficient semiconductor solutions that can process in real time. We think Netrasemi is well placed to lead the next wave in this space.”

Building India’s Semiconductor Story

Netrasemi’s journey is a microcosm of the larger shift in India’s tech ambitions. As the government rolls out policies and funding for semiconductors, startups like Netrasemi are building self-reliant high-performance computing infrastructure. Their chips are designed for domain-specific use cases, cost-effective and power-efficient—two key factors to Edge AI scalability in emerging markets.

Government Support and Collaborations

In the last 12 months, Netrasemi has made remarkable progress, including:

• Multiple MOUs**: Signed with global partners for sample release and joint R&D.
• Evaluation Board Agreements**: Secured to facilitate product testing and integration.
• Interest from OEMs**: Secured interest from over eight OEMs for product integration.
• MeitY Design Linked Incentive Scheme**: Received support under this government initiative.

The Bottom Line

Netrasemi’s innovative approach to Edge AI and fabless chip design is poised to revolutionize the semiconductor landscape in India. For developers, this means access to cutting-edge SoC solutions that can enhance real-time computing and reduce cloud dependency. The company’s strategic expansion and strong backing from industry leaders like Zoho Corporation and Unicorn India Ventures further solidify its position as a leader in the global Edge AI market.