Netrasemi Raises ₹107 Crore in Series A to Power Edge-AI SoC Innovation

Strategic Investment from Zoho Corporation and Unicorn India Ventures

 Kerala-based semiconductor startup Netrasemi has raised ₹107 crore in a Series A round from Zoho Corporation Ltd and Unicorn India Ventures.

The funding will be used to accelerate research and development (R&D) efforts, expand manufacturing capabilities, strengthen marketing to increase domestic and international market share, and launch four new system-on-chip (SoC) variants featuring advanced AI and video analytics. It will also support compute platform requirements of OEMs in surveillance, industrial robotics, and smart infrastructure sectors.

Edge-AI SoC Development and Product Pipeline

he company has successfully developed two SoC products that are currently in the tapeout stage, specifically targeting TSMC’s 12nm technology node.

Founded in 2020 by Jyothis Indirabhai, Sreejith Varma, and Deepa Geetha, Netrasemi is a cutting-edge Edge-AI semiconductor company building SoCs that deliver optimal computing for smart IoT applications. Since its inception, the company has focused on chips designed for complex tasks such as video processing and machine learning inference at the edge.

Moreover, Netrasemi’s SoCs feature advanced AI analytics directly on devices, thereby eliminating reliance on cloud or server processing. These advanced capabilities are powered by a deep-neural AI acceleration core (NPU) and a broad portfolio of in-house silicon intellectual property, underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation and edge efficiency.

Progress Over the Past Year

In the past 12 months, Netrasemi has:

• Developed two Edge-AI chips with enhanced video features

• Initiated work on a CCTV AI camera chip tailored for the Indian market

• Signed multiple MOUs with global partners for sample release and R&D

• Partnered with companies for evaluation boards and platform development

• Received platform development interest from multiple OEMs

Strategic Backing by Zoho Corporation

“Supporting the growth of a strong deep-tech ecosystem in India is a key focus for Zoho, and our investment in Netrasemi reflects that ongoing effort,” said Shailesh Davey, Co-founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation.

He added, “Our interests with Netrasemi also align on the R&D front in areas such as robotics, AI, and edge processing. Through this investment, we are supporting the development of indigenous IP and innovation, paving the way for globally competitive products to be built in India.”

Zoho is actively promoting rural development in India through R&D, creating local opportunities in villages and smaller towns. It recently opened an R&D centre in Kottarakara, Kerala, where it will collaborate with Netrasemi on joint research projects.

Continued Support from Unicorn India Ventures

Anil Joshi, Managing Partner at Unicorn India Ventures, said, “The global edge AI market is evolving rapidly, and as a result, it is driving demand for energy-efficient semiconductors capable of running AI workloads in real-time.”

He added, “Netrasemi is strategically well-positioned to lead this wave of innovation with its smart computing and domain-specific AI chips. Moreover, this funding will help scale its Edge-AI SoC development efforts while also supporting global expansion.”

Workforce Expansion and Next-Gen SoC Plans

Netrasemi plans to double its chip engineering team from 83 to 166, with the goal of targeting applications across surveillance, industrial robotics, smart homes, smart city infrastructure, and retail.

Meanwhile, the company is also preparing to launch next-generation SoCs featuring enhanced performance and advanced capabilities. Currently, these chips are in the R&D and prototyping phase, with product launches anticipated in early 2026.

CEO’s Vision for India’s Chip Innovation

“In the new age of AI-based automation and smart devices, domain-specific optimization is no longer optional—it’s a necessity,” said Jyothis Indirabhai, Co-founder & CEO of Netrasemi.

“Our efficient Domain-Specific Architecture (DSA) and in-house IP silicon cores consistently deliver the performance and power efficiency required for real-time edge computing. Furthermore, we design our chips based on specific customer application needs, thereby enabling faster development of machine learning and vision use cases,” he added.

Indirabhai emphasized that Zoho’s backing will help Netrasemi access new industries through market knowledge and joint R&D, while Unicorn’s reinvestment signals strong confidence in the company’s growth.

He also acknowledged support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and infrastructure assistance from TrEST Research Park, IIM-Kozhikode, and Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).

Future Roadmap: Next 12–18 Months

Over the next 12–18 months, Netrasemi plans to:

• Complete full-mask production of three SoC families

• Begin R&D on ultra-high-performance SoCs for edge servers and smart NVRs

• Increase customer and partner engagement globally

About Zoho Corporation Ltd

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Chennai, India, Zoho Corporation is a privately-held, profitable tech company with over 18,000 global employees. In addition, it owns major technology brands like ManageEngine, Zoho, TrainerCentral, Qntrl, and Zakya.

About Unicorn India Ventures

Founded in 2016 by Bhaskar Majumdar and Anil Joshi, Unicorn India Ventures is a technology-focused early-stage venture capital fund. With its debut ₹100 crore fund, the firm backed promising startups such as SmartCoin, Open Bank, Genrobotics, and Clootrack.

Building on this momentum, Unicorn launched its second fund in 2020, which has since invested in 20 startups. Currently, the firm is raising its ₹1000 crore Fund III, aiming to support 20 deep-tech companies across sectors like semiconductors, spacetech, medtech, SaaS, and digital platforms. Among its recent investments are Netrasemi, Qubehealth, Orbitaid, and Aurassure.

About Netrasemi

Netrasemi is a semiconductor startup that is developing energy-efficient Edge-AI SoCs, specifically tailored for smart IoT applications and advanced video analytics. Founded by seasoned engineers with global experience at Intel, Conexant, and Hitachi, the company therefore brings a wealth of industry knowledge to its innovations. Moreover, with a strong focus on AI-driven on-device computing, Netrasemi strives to enable real-time performance at the edge.

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