Semiconductor startup optoML raises $1.8 M Pre-series A funding from Bluehill

Bluehill has contributed $1.8 million to the pre-Series A funding round for SOC semiconductor startup optoML.A99 and VC.

After its 12 nm tapeout with TSMC is finished, the money will be utilized to increase hiring and start developing its next generation of chips.

For AI workloads, optoML, which was founded by Saravana Maruthamuthu, creates analog-in-memory compute architectures with optical interconnects.

Targeting edge and enterprise data center use cases, the company asserts that its patented in-memory compute design offers up to 50x greater energy efficiency than conventional digital accelerators.

The startup and Kaynes Semiconductor have an agreement in place for the startup to assist with assembly and testing after TSMC wafers are delivered.

Focusing on scalable AI System-on-Chip (SoC) platforms constructed on FinFET nodes, optoML is a fabless semiconductor company.

Blue Hill.VC specializes in deep-tech investments in industrial, defense, energy, and semiconductors.