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AI inference chip startup Nano-core Chip raises over RMB 1 billion in Series C2 funding

Chips1 min read

Nano-core Chip, a Hangzhou-based startup that makes chips for running AI, raised more than RMB 1 billion in a new funding round. The money will help it finish products and prepare for mass production.

What happened

On October 28, Nano-core Chip announced that it had raised more than RMB 1 billion in Series C2 funding. JianTou Investment led the round. Hangzhou Capital, Kaitai Capital, and other investors also took part. The company plans to use the money for product development and for getting ready to make chips in large numbers.

Key numbers and facts

  • Funding amount: more than RMB 1 billion
  • Founded: 2021
  • Its first three chips have finished tape-out (the final design step before chips are made)
  • Customer sampling and first volume shipments are planned for early 2027
  • The previous round, Series C1, was RMB 1 billion and was announced in September

Background

Nano-core Chip was started in 2021 and grew up inside a research institute linked to Peking University in Zhejiang. Its chips mix three technologies. Near-memory computing and in-memory computing do work close to where data is stored, which can save time and energy. RISC-V is an open chip design method that anyone can use. The company sells to both devices and cloud computing centers.

Why it matters

AI chips that run trained AI models, often called inference chips, are in high demand. This large funding round shows that investors still believe in new chip designs in China. The company now has to turn its designs into products that customers can buy and use.

What to watch

  • Whether customer sampling starts on time
  • Whether the company reaches volume shipments in early 2027
  • How the new funding is used for product development and production

Glossary

Series C2 funding
A later round of money raised from investors to help a company grow.
Near-memory computing
A design that does calculations close to where data is stored, to save time and power.
RISC-V
An open, free-to-use design standard for building computer processors.

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