Edge Cortix Secures ¥3 Billion Grant to Advance Edge AI Chips
Tokyo-based semiconductor company Edge Cortix has obtained a ¥3 billion ($21 million) subsidy from Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). This funding supports the development of NovaEdge, an advanced chiplet designed for edge AI, an area focused on executing AI applications directly on devices rather than relying on cloud computing. With this recent award, Edge Cortix has attained a cumulative $86 million in funding, including $49 million from government grants and $37 million from equity financing. The firm obtained a ¥4 billion ($27.7 million) grant in November 2023 through a different NEDO program. The investors for this include SBI Investment, Monozukuri Ventures, Futureplay, and Renesas Electronics, which is also a client.
Also Read: Google AI Edge Gallery: Transforming Android's Offline AI
Driving Energy-Saving AI through Cutting-Edge Chip Design
Edge Cortix is recognized for its Dynamic Neural Accelerator design, an IP core that functions as the "brain" for AI processors. This advancement enables efficient AI inference with reduced energy consumption, which is essential for edge devices operating in constrained environments.
CEO Sakyasingha Dasgupta emphasized that building energy-efficient, modular systems is critical to advancing edge AI applications.
NovaEdge, the upcoming chiplet, is designed for generative AI inference and on-device learning, offering modular alternatives to monolithic chips. Its architecture enables integration with neural processing units (NPUs), allowing for faster and more efficient AI operations.
Japan’s Broader Push for Semiconductor Independence
Edge Cortix’s funding aligns with Japan’s strategic push to strengthen its semiconductor ecosystem. In 2023, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a $65 billion plan to develop domestic chip and AI industries by 2030. The government has committed $11.5 billion to Rapidus, a state-backed chipmaker aiming to achieve 2nm production by 2027. As Japan invests in cutting-edge chip design and manufacturing, startups like EdgeCortix are poised to play a central role in its technological resurgence.
