Semiconductor startup OptoML raises $1.8 million from Bluehill VC and a99

optoML was founded by Saravana Maruthamuthu, who has over 17 years of semiconductor and systems experience

OptoML, a fabless semiconductor startup, has raised $1.8 million in its pre-Series A round led by deeptech venture capital firms Bluehill VC and A99, the companies announced on February 24.

Chennai-based OptoML will use the fresh funds to scale up hiring and start work on next generation chips as it completes a final tape-out with TSMC. The company brings scalable analog-in-memory compute with optical interconnects, designed to scale from edge deployments to hyperscalers.

Manu Iyer, General Partner, Bluehill VC, said: “We believe this is the kind of deep-tech platform that can meaningfully reshape the cost and efficiency curve of AI infrastructure. The company’s frugal innovations with a clear commercial use case will define India’s global AI dominance.”

At the same time, OptoML has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kaynes Semicon to support assembly and testing of the wafers.

Saravana M, Founder & CEO, optoML adds "We are excited to have Manu Iyer partnering closely with us, bringing deep experience in successful early stage deep tech investments and helping guide our path from test chip success to commercial viability, customer deployments, and scaled production."

OptoML was founded by Saravana Maruthamuthu, who has over 17 years of semiconductor and systems experience, including about 10 years in Germany, with roles spanning Intel, Qualcomm, Continental, and Isar Aerospace and others.