Latest news with #EdgeCortix
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Japanese Semiconductor Startup Secures $21 Million In Grants For Edge AI
EdgeCortix's Sakura-II module. As Japan races to develop its domestic semiconductor ecosystem, Tokyo-headquartered chip design startup EdgeCortix announced it received 3 billion yen ($21 million) from a government-backed agency to develop specialized chips that can power 'edge AI,' a rapidly growing field of AI that involves running applications on devices themselves instead of on the cloud. The fresh funds, in the form of a project award from Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), bring the five-year-old company's total funding to $86 million, including $49 million in non-dilutive government grants and $37 million in equity financing. It received a 4 billion yen ($27.7 million) subsidy from a separate NEDO program last November. Across three previous equity funding rounds, with the most recent being a $20 million raise in October 2023, the startup's investors include SBI Investment, a CVC unit of Japanese financial services conglomerate SBI Group; Monozukuri Ventures; Seoul-based VC firm Futureplay; and automotive chips maker Renesas Electronics, formerly under Japanese electronics giant NEC. Renesas is also a customer of EdgeCortix. 'Building systems that are significantly more performance-per-watt efficient for AI processing than the current status quo, whether that's GPUs or other types of systems, especially in constrained environments…that is a critical factor for almost all edge applications,' says Sakyasingha Dasgupta, founder and CEO at EdgeCortix, in a video interview. 'That essentially differentiates us from the broader edge AI market.' In addition to the startup's focus on optimizing energy efficiency, Dasgupta adds, what distinguishes EdgeCortix is its architecture, referring to the design and programming that powers chips. Its patented 'Dynamic Neural Accelerator' architecture is an IP core, akin to a 'brain' for AI computing that can direct processors within a chip and adjust the way its components interact. This IP core can be integrated with processors such as neural processing units (NPU), which are tailored for machine learning. The latest grant will finance the development of EdgeCortix's new chiplet, a type of chip that uses interchangeable components, as opposed to monolithic ones. Dubbed 'NovaEdge,' EdgeCortix's chiplet for edge AI is designed for high-performance generative AI inference and on-device learning, the company says. Founded in 2019, EdgeCortix operates as a fabless semiconductor company, meaning it does not own its own fabrication facility, or 'fab.' The NovaEdge chiplet will utilize a 12-nanometer node produced by billionaire Morris Chang's Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). EdgeCortix plans to commence mass production at TSMC subsidiary Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM)'s facility in Kumamoto, Japan, by 2027. A plant of Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (JASM). With a wide range of applications, ranging from robotics to industrial automation, EdgeCortix's chips and accompanying software have recently gained traction in the defense industry. Earlier in May, the startup inked an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense's venture-oriented Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to use EdgeCortix's products for defense technologies, including AI-powered vision and generative AI. In December, the DIU had announced it would launch a new effort to accelerate the adoption of generative AI in both warfighting and enterprise management. Specifically, on the battlefield, edge AI may help quickly process sensitive information in environments with limited network connectivity or potential cybersecurity threats. Tech giant Palantir–cofounded by billionaires Peter Thiel, Alexander Karp, Stephen Cohen and Joe Lonsdale–has developed a range of edge AI offerings for military purposes, including Skykit, a backpack-sized server that can act as a fully operational intelligence unit for soldiers, analyzing data from sensors on drones and surveillance equipment. In the nascent field of edge AI, the decentralization of AI represents 'a profound shift in the technological landscape,' according to a report published in February by consulting firm Deloitte. Such computing developments may be particularly effective for use cases 'requiring rapid responses or operating in disconnected environments,' including smart home devices, autonomous vehicles, wearable health monitors, and industrial Internet of Things (IoT) systems. Global spending on edge infrastructure is projected to grow from $25.3 billion in 2022 to $55.6 billion by 2027, the report added, citing research from the International Data Center (IDC). A Palantir Technologies Skykit on display. Japan's government-backed investments align with broader efforts to bolster domestic chip design and manufacturing, with the aim of establishing greater independence for advanced AI technologies. Last November, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a $65 billion plan to invest in the country's chip and artificial intelligence industry by 2030, according to local media. Central to these efforts is the state-backed chipmaker Rapidus. In March, the Japanese government pledged an additional $5.4 billion to Rapidus, bringing its total government subsidies or grants to around $11.5 billion. Headquartered in Tokyo and backed by industry giants, including financial services groups MUFG Bank and SoftBank, electronics makers NEC and Sony, Toyota, and telecoms provider NTT, Rapidus aims to launch commercial production of 2-nanometer chips—some of the world's thinnest and most advanced—by 2027. A major link in the global semiconductor supply chain, Japan is also home to industry giants including billionaire Uchiyama family's Lasertec, which manufactures chip testing equipment; KKR-backed chip production equipment maker Kokusai Electric; Bain-backed Kioxia, Advantest (chip testing equipment); and Sumco, a silicon wafer supplier.
Japan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Japan backs AI chip startup EdgeCortix in boost to defense tech
EdgeCortix, a Tokyo-based artificial intelligence (AI) chip startup, is riding a wave of interest to foster Japanese semiconductors with defense applications. EdgeCortix, which has won a contract tied to the U.S. Department of Defense, on Wednesday secured government subsidies of ¥3 billion ($21 million) to develop energy-efficient AI chiplets for commercialization in 2027. The contract may help revenue more than double this year, founder Sakyasingha Dasgupta said. The products, designed to help robots make real-time decisions and fill the country's labor shortages, target mass production at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s plant in Japan. The subsidies are on top of ¥4 billion in support the semiconductor designer won in November to make chips for next-generation communication systems. The sums from an economy ministry-backed research agency reflect Japan's growing embrace of dual-use technologies. Companies from Mitsubishi Electric to startups such as Terra Labo are ramping up satellite constellation technologies to support ballistic missile tracking under the Defense Ministry's defense buildup program, while the country's Self-Defense Forces are turning to AI providers to enhance surveillance systems. EdgeCortix, which has raised around $37 million via funding rounds to date, is developing chiplets with programmable architecture that would allow robots to process information without tapping the cloud, according to Dasgupta. That helps save power where hypercustomization is needed, such as in health care, and where data transmission is costly, he said in an interview. "Our energy-efficient AI technologies can be used in solutions across domains — from land-based systems to aerial platforms to space,' Dasgupta said. "This helps advance edge AI solutions for national and global security.'
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Japan Backs AI Chip Startup EdgeCortix in Boost to Defense Tech
EdgeCortix Inc., a Tokyo-based AI chip startup, is riding a wave of interest to foster Japanese semiconductors with defense applications. EdgeCortix, which has won a contract tied to the US Department of Defense, on Wednesday secured government subsidies of ¥3 billion ($21 million) to develop energy-efficient AI chiplets for commercialization in 2027. The contract may help revenue more than double this year, founder Sakyasingha Dasgupta said.
Business Wire
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
EdgeCortix Becomes First Japanese and Semiconductor Company Awarded U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Contract
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EdgeCortix® Inc., a pioneering fabless semiconductor company specializing in energy-efficient edge Artificial Intelligence (AI), today announced it has been awarded an Other Transaction (OT) agreement by the United States Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). This marks the first time a Japanese company and its U.S.-based subsidiary have secured such an award, highlighting EdgeCortix's growing prominence in advanced AI solutions. The OT, awarded in February 2025, empowers the DIU to rapidly evaluate and eventually deploy EdgeCortix's cutting-edge hardware and software solutions across diverse U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) edge applications. These include critical areas involving AI-powered vision and generative AI technologies. 'We are deeply honored to be the first Japanese company selected for a DIU contract, a testament to the innovative edge AI solutions our team has developed,' said Dr. Sakyasingha Dasgupta, CEO of EdgeCortix. 'This partnership not only validates our commitment to advancing energy-efficient AI technologies but also opens up transformative opportunities to contribute to critical global and national security challenges. We are thrilled to collaborate with the DIU team, whose seamless and easy-to-navigate process has made exploring the potential of our solutions across diverse domains—from space and aerial platforms to land-based systems—a rewarding experience. Together, we aim to redefine what's possible in Defense at the edge.' Under this initiative, EdgeCortix will demonstrate how its solutions can significantly enhance mission capabilities for military personnel while optimizing platforms, systems, and components utilized across the DoD. The collaboration aligns with DIU's Resource Optimized Compute program, which seeks to advance modern AI and machine learning systems capable of efficiently collecting, processing, and distributing mission-critical information at strategically decisive speeds. This program aims to ensure a strategic information advantage for national and global security operations across air, space, sea, ground, and cyber platforms. Key applications targeted include advanced AI analytics, real-time decision support systems, autonomous operations, and enhanced situational awareness. Through a structured, multi-phase process, EdgeCortix and DIU will collaborate with various DoD agencies, leading U.S. defense, aerospace companies and NASA to leverage EdgeCortix technology: Benchmarking performance and efficiency of the SAKURA-II AI edge accelerator. Validating radiation resilience of the SAKURA-II accelerator for space applications. Exploring opportunities for deployments across DoD platforms. This collaboration underscores EdgeCortix's milestone achievement as the first Japanese company to receive DIU funding, significantly advancing edge AI solutions for national and global security. DIU Project Spotlight: Hybrid Space Communications Network Leverages Commercial Technology, Enabling Faster Decision-Making on the Battlefield: About EdgeCortix Inc. Pioneering the future of the connected intelligent edge, EdgeCortix is a fabless semiconductor company focused on energy-efficient AI processing of Generative-AI workloads at the edge. Founded in 2019 with R&D headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, EdgeCortix delivers a software-first approach with its patented 'hardware and software co-exploration' system to design an AI specific runtime reconfigurable accelerator from the ground up. EdgeCortix's products disrupt the rapidly growing edge AI hardware markets including defense, aerospace, smart cities, industry 4.0, autonomous vehicles and robotics. For more information about EdgeCortix, visit .
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EdgeCortix Becomes First Japanese and Semiconductor Company Awarded U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Contract
Milestone Positions EdgeCortix to Drive Breakthrough Efficient AI Edge Solutions for U.S. Defense Operations TOKYO, May 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EdgeCortix® Inc., a pioneering fabless semiconductor company specializing in energy-efficient edge Artificial Intelligence (AI), today announced it has been awarded an Other Transaction (OT) agreement by the United States Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). This marks the first time a Japanese company and its U.S.-based subsidiary have secured such an award, highlighting EdgeCortix's growing prominence in advanced AI solutions. The OT, awarded in February 2025, empowers the DIU to rapidly evaluate and eventually deploy EdgeCortix's cutting-edge hardware and software solutions across diverse U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) edge applications. These include critical areas involving AI-powered vision and generative AI technologies. "We are deeply honored to be the first Japanese company selected for a DIU contract, a testament to the innovative edge AI solutions our team has developed," said Dr. Sakyasingha Dasgupta, CEO of EdgeCortix. "This partnership not only validates our commitment to advancing energy-efficient AI technologies but also opens up transformative opportunities to contribute to critical global and national security challenges. We are thrilled to collaborate with the DIU team, whose seamless and easy-to-navigate process has made exploring the potential of our solutions across diverse domains—from space and aerial platforms to land-based systems—a rewarding experience. Together, we aim to redefine what's possible in Defense at the edge." Under this initiative, EdgeCortix will demonstrate how its solutions can significantly enhance mission capabilities for military personnel while optimizing platforms, systems, and components utilized across the DoD. The collaboration aligns with DIU's Resource Optimized Compute program, which seeks to advance modern AI and machine learning systems capable of efficiently collecting, processing, and distributing mission-critical information at strategically decisive speeds. This program aims to ensure a strategic information advantage for national and global security operations across air, space, sea, ground, and cyber platforms. Key applications targeted include advanced AI analytics, real-time decision support systems, autonomous operations, and enhanced situational awareness. Through a structured, multi-phase process, EdgeCortix and DIU will collaborate with various DoD agencies, leading U.S. defense, aerospace companies and NASA to leverage EdgeCortix technology: Benchmarking performance and efficiency of the SAKURA-II AI edge accelerator. Validating radiation resilience of the SAKURA-II accelerator for space applications. Exploring opportunities for deployments across DoD platforms. This collaboration underscores EdgeCortix's milestone achievement as the first Japanese company to receive DIU funding, significantly advancing edge AI solutions for national and global security. DIU Project Spotlight: Hybrid Space Communications Network Leverages Commercial Technology, Enabling Faster Decision-Making on the Battlefield: About EdgeCortix Inc. Pioneering the future of the connected intelligent edge, EdgeCortix is a fabless semiconductor company focused on energy-efficient AI processing of Generative-AI workloads at the edge. Founded in 2019 with R&D headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, EdgeCortix delivers a software-first approach with its patented "hardware and software co-exploration" system to design an AI specific runtime reconfigurable accelerator from the ground up. EdgeCortix's products disrupt the rapidly growing edge AI hardware markets including defense, aerospace, smart cities, industry 4.0, autonomous vehicles and robotics. For more information about EdgeCortix, visit View source version on Contacts For media inquiries, please contact: Jeffrey Grosman, EVP Marketing & US Operationsjeffrey@
