Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:gonin /Wikimedia Commons(opens in a new window)
Apps
Biotech & Health
Climate
Image Credits:gonin /Wikimedia Commons(opens in a new window)
Cloud Computing
DoC
Crypto
Enterprise
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
Gadgets
Gaming
Government & Policy
ironware
Layoffs
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
Privacy
Robotics
security department
societal
distance
Startups
TikTok
Transportation
Venture
More from TechCrunch
effect
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Podcasts
picture
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
touch Us
Photonics — a field that underpins lite - based systems for wangle information — has a burnished future , as the rise of AI demands better computing performance , but it has yet to be in full applied to a novel generation of chips . German startupAkhetonicshopes to change that . It has raised a € 6 million seminal fluid funding stave ( approximately $ 6.33 million ) to deliver on this hope , TechCrunch can entirely unwrap .
While several ship’s company are working with photon on tangential issues or gunpoint resolution that mix electronics and photonics , Akhetonics — whose name is a portmanteau ofAkhet , an Egyptian hieroglyph for “ skyline , ” and photonics — is outright aim to ramp up a general - function chip .
“ General purpose ” in this context of use means microprocessor chip that could be used for all sorts of tasks and software program lotion . And since Akhetonics is taking an all - visual attack that will also be digital and compatible with existing work load , unlike analog approaches , it could be peculiarly useful in environments that require high - performance in veridical clip , such as networking , avionics , and outer space .
fastness aside , muscularity efficiency is another aspect where photonics can avail — and one that is more and more tied to geopolitics , as is chip sovereignty . “ For us , the most interesting part is that we have a supply chain that is very diverse , ” co - founder and CEO Michael Kissner tell TechCrunch .
Potentially , Akhetonics could make its general - purpose chip anywhere , make it possible for companies to get at topically sourced high - carrying into action compute — ifit works . That ’s a big “ if ” ; or more precisely , “ when . ”
Most observers agree that photonics will make its way to chips — but Gallic VC firm Daphni , for case , lately articulate itwon’t invest in general - function chipsat the minute .
WhileLightmatter , a photonics company that initially focused on cow chip , pivoted to interconnectsto great succeeder , bringing faster information transfer between CPUs and GPUs within data point centers .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
While it still seems far - fetched to some , Matterwave Ventures , the VC firm that moderate Akhetonics ’ new round , believes that the prison term is veracious for fully optical engineering to be applied to general - purpose figuring . “ For us , it felt like there are sufficient thing that are coming together to make this a reality , ” principal Silviu Apostu told TechCrunch .
This will still take meter , but maybe not as much as some may recall ; Akhetonics plans to render its first commercial-grade product to customers mid - next year . Kissner is confident that it ’s already affirm feasibleness thanks to itsprevious support roundby thick tech VC firm Runa Capital in 2023 . “ Our big goal was to show that you’re able to do general purpose computing using only optics , and that is something that we have now establish , ” he say .
The key to Akhetonics ’ approach — and what makes this workable , according to Apostu — is to rethink the computer architecture from first principles .
“ People think you take billions of [ optical transistors ] , ” Kissner added . “ But with the correct computer architecture , you do n’t . ” For case , the company explainedin a recent paperhow it can do without the usual optimization that the likes of AMD , Intel , and Nvidia have applied to current - gen chips .
This also make the development physical process cheaper than for regular chip shot — hence the relatively pocket-sized pear-shaped size for a chipmaking business . Akhetonics sound out most of the cum funding will go into growing head count to 30 masses as the team works toward turn in paradigm to customer . “ For us , it ’s actually a lot of money , ” Kissner suggested . “ In our human race , you may design a chip for € 50,000 . ”
Cheaper costs and a local provision chain of mountains are two big differences compare to existing AI semiconductors ; Kissner seems genuinely baffled that the “ trillion - dollar Al industry ” relies on chips made in geopolitically troublesome areas . And Akhetonics ’ substitute positioning has evidently resonate with investors . “ They really support our missionary station to create this European , almost democratized version of high - operation computing , ” he said .
With all that said , there are still questions over commercial-grade requirement for high - public presentation computing , and whether it might be well served by integrated photonics for specific use cases . But for Akhetonics , and challenger likeLightSolver , all - optical bit are the best answer .
