The Indian technology landscape witnessed a significant development as Netrasemi, a Kerala based semiconductor company, successfully concluded its Series A funding round, attracting Rs 107 crore from prominent investors Zoho Corporation and Unicorn India Ventures. This investment marks a pivotal moment for India’s emerging semiconductor ecosystem and underscores the growing confidence in domestic chip design capabilities.
Edge AI Innovation Focus
Founded in 2020, Netrasemi has positioned itself at the forefront of edge artificial intelligence solutions, developing specialized system on chip architectures that address the evolving demands of smart device applications. The company’s approach centers on creating energy efficient processors capable of executing complex AI workloads directly on devices, eliminating the traditional dependency on cloud based processing. This technological paradigm proves particularly valuable for applications requiring real time responsiveness and enhanced data privacy.
Capital Deployment Strategy
The strategic investment will facilitate multiple growth initiatives for the company. Primary focus areas include advancing research and development activities, expanding manufacturing capabilities, and accelerating the commercialization of four distinct system on chip variants featuring advanced AI and video analytics functionalities. These developments directly address market requirements across surveillance systems, industrial automation, and smart infrastructure applications.
Strategic Partnership with Zoho
Zoho Corporation’s participation in this funding round extends beyond financial support, representing a commitment to fostering India’s deep technology ecosystem. The collaboration includes joint research and development initiatives at Zoho’s recently established Kerala facility, creating opportunities for knowledge transfer and technological advancement. This partnership exemplifies how established technology companies can nurture emerging semiconductor startups through strategic investments and operational collaboration.
Industry Landscape and Investment Climate
The investment landscape for Indian semiconductor companies has evolved considerably, driven by government initiatives promoting domestic manufacturing and global supply chain diversification trends. Netrasemi’s success in attracting substantial funding demonstrates investor confidence in India’s potential to develop competitive semiconductor solutions for global markets.
Future Growth Trajectory
Looking ahead, Netrasemi plans to substantially expand its engineering capabilities, targeting a workforce increase from 83 to 166 professionals specializing in chip design and development. The company aims to complete production readiness for its chip families within the next 12-18 months while simultaneously initiating development of next generation ultra high performance solutions.
This funding milestone represents more than a single company’s success, it signifies India’s gradual emergence as a credible player in the global semiconductor industry, with regional technology hubs like Kerala contributing meaningfully to this transformation.
