Netrasemi Secures ₹10 Crore Funding to Advance Edge AI Technology In a major boost for India’s semiconductor sector, Netrasemi, a Kerala-based startup, has raised ₹10 crore in a
In a major boost for India’s semiconductor sector, Netrasemi, a Kerala-based startup, has raised ₹10 crore in a pre-Series A funding round. The funding was provided by Unicorn India Ventures, a prominent venture capital firm. The startup plans to use the capital to accelerate the development of Edge AI solutions and expand its operations globally.
This funding will primarily be directed toward the fabrication of two Machine Learning System-on-Chip (SoC) products, namely Netra A2000 and Netra R1000. These chips are designed to empower the next generation of Internet of Things (IoT) products with smart, efficient, and AI-driven capabilities that can operate on the edge — without the need for constant cloud communication.
Netrasemi, founded in 2020 by Jyothis Indirabhai, Sreejith Varma, and Deepa Geetha, is focused on developing high-performance System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions to meet the growing demand for AI-powered devices. These chips are essential for smart products in industries such as surveillance, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and smart infrastructure.
Unlike traditional chips that require data to be sent to servers for processing, Netrasemi’s Edge AI SoCs process data locally, making real-time AI-based decisions right on the device. This unique ability not only speeds up performance but also reduces the cost and bandwidth associated with cloud processing.
The startup has already built a 61-member team and is focused on solving 100+ AI/ML use cases to make the development of Edge AI products more efficient, simple, and affordable.
Netrasemi has designed a family of AI/ML-capable SoCs: the Netra-R1000, Netra-A2000, and Netra-A4000. These chips are built using the startup’s proprietary Domain Specific Architecture (DSA) and feature graph-stream hardware acceleration. This makes them not only power-efficient but also cost-effective — a crucial factor for businesses aiming to scale AI and machine learning capabilities in their products.
These chips are designed to cater to specific industries, including surveillance, smart sensors, machine vision, and autonomous systems. The power efficiency and pricing of the chips make them ideal for Edge AI applications where both performance and cost are critical.
The response from large Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across the world has been overwhelmingly positive. Netrasemi has attracted interest from key players in industries such as medical, telecom, and industrial sectors.
The startup has also started generating strong revenue growth, earning approximately $0.75 million from chip design and porting services for strategic partners. With projections for 150% revenue growth in FY25, Netrasemi expects its revenue to skyrocket once it enters the volume production phase for its chips in FY27.
The Edge AI market is booming, driven by the increasing demand for devices that can make real-time decisions without the need to send data to the cloud. This is particularly crucial for industries like video surveillance, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities, where quick, on-site data processing can make a significant impact.
Netrasemi’s chips are positioned to meet the demand for intelligent edge devices in several key sectors, including surveillance, robotics, drones, smart infrastructure, and Industry 4.0. The surveillance market in particular is seeing tremendous growth, and Netrasemi’s SoCs are poised to capture a significant share, given the global demand for smarter security systems in areas like government, industrial sectors, BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance), and transportation.
One of the standout features of Netrasemi is its holistic approach to chip design. Unlike many semiconductor startups that rely on external suppliers for certain components, Netrasemi owns the entire process from start to finish. This includes everything from the chip design to the digital intellectual properties (IP) that go into the product. This vertical integration allows the company to maintain full control over the performance and cost of its chips, which is a significant advantage in the competitive semiconductor market.
“We not only own the chip but also own what goes inside. This gives us a unique edge in the Edge AI space, and we are excited to be backed by Unicorn India Ventures as we continue to scale,” said Jyothis Indirabhai, Co-Founder of Netrasemi.
The new funding will help Netrasemi expand its operations, ramp up its chip production, and accelerate the deployment of Edge AI solutions across various industries. With plans for volume production set to begin in FY27, the startup is well-positioned to become a leader in the Edge AI and IoT semiconductor market.
Netrasemi also aims to strengthen its partnerships with OEMs and solution providers in global markets, providing them with the advanced technology needed to meet the growing demand for intelligent, AI-powered devices.
According to Anil Joshi, Managing Partner at Unicorn India Ventures, “The AI industry has the potential to transform sectors ranging from healthcare to transportation. We believe Netrasemi’s chips will be crucial in driving the evolution of intelligent edge devices, and this funding will accelerate their growth.”
Netrasemi’s innovative approach to Edge AI and semiconductor design places it at the forefront of India’s growing IoT and semiconductor industry. With strong backing from Unicorn India Ventures and a focus on solving real-world problems through AI-driven solutions, Netrasemi is poised for exponential growth in the coming years.
As the demand for smarter, more efficient devices continues to rise globally, Netrasemi’s chips — with their advanced AI capabilities, power efficiency, and cost-effectiveness — are set to play a key role in the next wave of IoT innovation.
With an eye on global expansion and continued innovation, Netrasemi is ready to take on the challenges of the future and make its mark on the global tech landscape.
