Archive — US — techcrunch
Ethernovia raises $90M as investors rush to fund ‘physical AI’
Ethernovia raised $90M in a Series B funding round led by Maverick Silicon, positioning itself as a key player in 'physical AI' development, which focuses on enhancing robotics and autonomous vehicles through advanced data processing technologies.
Key points
- Ethernovia, based in San Jose, specializes in Ethernet-based processors for data collection in autonomous systems.
- The $90M funding round is led by Maverick Silicon, a new AI-focused fund established in 2024.
- Ethernovia was previously funded by Porsche SE and Qualcomm Ventures.
- The emergence of 'physical AI' represents a shift in investment focus toward foundational technologies behind advanced AI applications.
Why it matters
- The concept of 'physical AI' aligns with ongoing trends in tech investment as companies seek to bridge the gap between software and hardware.
- Funding in 'physical AI' reflects a broader trend in 2025 towards integrating AI with real-world applications, especially in sectors like automotive and robotics.
- Previous years showed increased investment in autonomous technologies, highlighting a growing interest in the whole ecosystem around AI.
Ethernovia's funding represents a critical investment in the future of physical AI, indicating a shift in focus from purely software-driven innovations to the essential hardware enabling these advancements.