Quadric, a developer of programmable AI chips, has announced the second close of its Series C, bringing the round's total to $46 million. This new capital injection, led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), raises the company's total funding to $90 million. The investment will accelerate the deployment of Quadric's on-device AI platform, which is designed to support a growing shift toward secure, locally controlled AI infrastructure.
Strategic Investment for Global AI Accessibility
The IFC's investment marks a significant endorsement of Quadric's mission to democratize AI beyond large data centers. Mohamed Eissa of the IFC stated that Quadric addresses a critical gap in the AI ecosystem by enabling powerful AI outside the exclusive domain of hyperscalers. This approach empowers small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets to deploy AI on their own devices, leveling the global economic playing field.
Broadening Investor Confidence
The funding round also saw increased participation from existing investors, including Pear VC, Uncork Capital, and BEENEXT, who doubled down on their stakes. This strong backing from early supporters, who have witnessed the company's innovation firsthand, underscores their continued confidence in its technology and execution. The addition of new investor Offline Ventures further validates Quadric's strategy and its expanding footprint in the on-device AI market.
A Future-Proof Approach to AI Silicon
CEO Veerbhan Kheterpal emphasized that a chip's features are locked years before it ships, while AI models change constantly. He explained that Quadric's software-defined stack allows the same chip to run new models and improve performance over its lifetime. This fundamental difference is what separates depreciating silicon from a platform that offers compounding value to customers.
At the heart of Quadric's value proposition is its Chimera General-Purpose Neural Processing Unit (GPNPU), a departure from conventional fixed-function chips. Unlike static hardware, the Chimera platform is a living system that receives software updates to run new AI models long after the silicon has shipped. This adaptability ensures that the hardware's value compounds over time rather than depreciating as AI technology rapidly evolves.
Expanding Market Reach and Capabilities
The Chimera GPNPU architecture is designed for immense flexibility, scaling from a single TOPS to over 3200 TOPS in multi-chiplet configurations. It supports a vast array of AI models, including both convolutional and transformer-based networks for tasks ranging from computer vision to on-device LLM inference. This versatility allows chip designers to deploy a single programmable architecture that adapts as AI requirements evolve over time.
With the new capital, Quadric plans to significantly expand its support and go-to-market teams to serve its growing customer base. The company will bolster its presence in established sectors like automotive and enterprise while also targeting new high-growth areas. These emerging markets include humanoid robotics, advanced wearables, and next-generation networking, where on-device processing is critical.
This successful Series C funding round positions Quadric to capitalize on the accelerating trend of edge AI deployment. The investment not only provides the financial resources for expansion but also validates the company's unique software-centric approach to silicon design. As industries increasingly demand localized and secure AI, Quadric's programmable platform is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of intelligent devices.