In a significant development that signals a robust shift towards deep-tech manufacturing in India, Thiruvananthapuram-based semiconductor startup Netrasemi has successfully raised ₹107 crore in funding from marquee investors including Zoho Corporation and Unicorn India Ventures. This funding round, among the largest for a fabless semiconductor startup from Kerala, positions Netrasemi at the forefront of India’s silicon innovation drive.
The fundraise comes at a critical juncture when India is pushing forward with its semiconductor mission, aiming to reduce dependency on imports and become a global chip design and manufacturing hub. With the latest infusion of capital, Netrasemi plans to expand its product development, hire high-end semiconductor talent, and scale its operations both in India and globally.
Funding Snapshot
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Startup Name | Netrasemi Pvt Ltd |
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
| Funding Raised | ₹107 crore (approx. $13 million) |
| Lead Investors | Zoho Corporation, Unicorn India Ventures |
| Industry Focus | Semiconductor Design (Fabless) |
| Primary Use of Funds | R&D, Talent Hiring, Global Expansion |
| Founding Year | 2022 |
Vision: India’s Homegrown Chip Powerhouse
Founded by a team of industry veterans with experience in chip design, embedded systems, and high-performance computing, Netrasemi is a fabless semiconductor company focused on designing advanced System-on-Chips (SoCs) for domains like automotive, industrial automation, telecom infrastructure, IoT, and AI edge devices.
The company aims to fill the critical gap in India’s semiconductor value chain — chip design and IP creation. With fab facilities still under construction in India, companies like Netrasemi are enabling India to leapfrog in chip IP, which is the most strategic part of the value chain.
What Netrasemi Brings to the Table
Netrasemi is working on ultra-low power, high-performance processors suited for complex applications. The firm is currently developing proprietary architectures that can rival international competitors in efficiency and performance. Some of the major areas of focus include:
- AI Edge Chips: Enabling smart surveillance, medical devices, and predictive maintenance in industrial environments.
- 5G Infrastructure ICs: Powering telecom and broadband backhaul.
- EV and Automotive-grade microcontrollers for next-generation mobility systems.
- Embedded SoCs for IoT: Smart meters, consumer appliances, and connected industrial hardware.
Founders’ Background and Industry Experience
The core founding team at Netrasemi includes engineers who have worked with global semiconductor majors such as Texas Instruments, ARM, Qualcomm, and Broadcom. Their collective experience spans over 100 years in chip design, intellectual property, and embedded systems development.
By setting up their base in Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, they’ve tapped into Kerala’s emerging engineering talent pool while also working to build partnerships with academic institutions like IITs and NITs for research collaboration.
What the Investors Are Saying
Zoho Corp, a bootstrapped Indian software unicorn that has been actively backing deep-tech innovation in India, stated that Netrasemi represents the next frontier of Indian technology — one that builds core intellectual property at the silicon level.
Unicorn India Ventures, known for supporting early-stage startups, noted that Netrasemi’s ambition to design and commercialize indigenous chip architectures aligns with the government’s Semicon India Programme, which has earmarked ₹76,000 crore for domestic chip development.
India’s Semiconductor Push – Why Netrasemi Matters
India currently imports nearly 100% of its semiconductor requirements, with demand set to cross $110 billion by 2030. The government has launched several initiatives such as:
- Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme
- Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters
- PLI for IT Hardware and Chip Manufacturing
- Semicon India FutureDesign Programme
Companies like Netrasemi directly benefit from these initiatives by focusing on IP creation and advanced chip design, crucial elements that will power not just Make-in-India chips but Design-in-India innovations.
Strategic Importance of Thiruvananthapuram for Chip Design
While Bengaluru and Hyderabad have been the traditional semiconductor hubs, Thiruvananthapuram is now emerging as a serious player. With the presence of VSSC, ISRO, and Technopark, the region already has infrastructure for high-tech development.
Netrasemi’s success could serve as a template for future deep-tech startups from Tier-2 cities, which often combine lower operational costs with access to untapped engineering talent.
Competitive Landscape and Differentiation
| Startup Name | Focus Area | Headquarters | Funding Raised |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netrasemi | Fabless AI/IoT SoCs | Thiruvananthapuram | ₹107 crore |
| Saankhya Labs | Wireless semiconductors | Bengaluru | Acquired |
| Steradian Semiconductors | Radar chips for automotive | Bengaluru | Acquired by Renesas |
| Signalchip | 4G/5G chips | Bengaluru | Govt-supported |
| InCore Semiconductors | RISC-V processors | Chennai | Undisclosed |
Netrasemi stands out for its multi-sector approach, creating solutions across automotive, telecom, smart cities, and medical electronics, all backed by IP-first design strategy.
What’s Next for Netrasemi?
With the fresh infusion of capital, the company is expected to:
- Launch its first commercial SoC design by mid-2026
- Expand its R&D team from 50 to 200+ engineers within the next 18 months
- Set up a simulation lab and testing facility in collaboration with academia
- Begin exploring international strategic partners for commercialization and export
The company is also in talks with OEMs and device makers in India and Southeast Asia for joint development of chipsets tailored to local applications.
Conclusion
The successful ₹107 crore funding round marks a watershed moment for Netrasemi and India’s semiconductor ecosystem. As India aspires to reduce its dependency on imports and become a global tech superpower, startups like Netrasemi will play a pivotal role in building indigenous capability at the chip design level — the most valuable layer in the tech stack.
By combining strategic investment, deep-tech focus, and government support, Netrasemi has the potential to redefine India’s place in the global semiconductor map while creating high-value employment and IP within the country.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice or an offer to invest. Readers are advised to perform their own due diligence and consult financial professionals before making investment decisions.
