Zoho-Backed Netrasemi Launches First Edge AI Chip A2000, Begins Customer Trials
Kerala-based semiconductor startup Netrasemi, backed by Zoho, has launched its flagship A2000 Edge AI chip. Built on TSMC's 12nm process, the production-ready SoC has begun trials in the surveillance and automotive sectors.
In a major milestone for India's growing semiconductor ecosystem, Kerala-based fabless startup Netrasemi has successfully launched and tested its flagship Artificial Intelligence (AI) System-on-Chip (SoC), the A2000. Backed by major investors including SaaS giant Zoho and Unicorn India Ventures, the company has declared the edge AI chip production-ready and has officially commenced early customer trials.
Breakthrough in Edge AI Computing
The A2000 is positioned as one of IndiaтАЩs first indigenously designed AI/ML chips. Fabricated at the Taiwanese foundry TSMC using an advanced 12nm process node, the chip recently achieved a successful "silicon bring-up." It is specifically engineered for compact, power-efficient, and cost-sensitive edge devices.
Designed to bring advanced computing directly to the device level, the A2000 chip promises high-TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) AI performance. It integrates several proprietary hardware components developed in-house by Netrasemi, including a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), Vision Processing Unit (VPU), Image Signal Processor (ISP), and dedicated crypto-engines for enhanced security.
Customer Trials and Target Sectors
NetrasemiтАЩs CEO and co-founder, Jyothis Indirabhai, confirmed that the company is currently engaged in early sample evaluations and co-development with three major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The initial customer trials are primarily focused on the surveillance and automotive sectors. The A2000's smart vision and real-time video analytics capabilities make it highly suitable for applications such as drone surveillance, CCTVs, intelligent video gateways, robotics, and industrial automation.
While currently in the trial and co-development phase, volume production and a full commercial launch at TSMC's Taiwan facility are slated for mid-2027.
Government Backing and Future Roadmap
NetrasemiтАЩs rapid progress highlights the success of the Indian government's push for semiconductor self-reliance. The startup was one of the first four companies selected for the Ministry of Electronics and Information TechnologyтАЩs (MeitY) Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme in 2023, receiving тВ╣15 crore in support. To date, Netrasemi has raised a total of тВ╣125 crore in equity funding.
Looking ahead, Netrasemi is rapidly expanding its chip portfolio. In collaboration with the College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET) and supported by MeitY's Chip-to-Startup (C2S) program, the company recently sent its second chipтАФthe R1000 AI/ML MCU, aimed at the IoT sensor marketтАФfor fabrication. Furthermore, the startup is developing an advanced edge AI server chip (A4000), which is expected to be ready for fabrication by the second quarter of 2027.
