In the digital era of evolving artificial intelligence (AI), EnCharge AI introduces itself as an innovative startup company that focuses on in-memory computing. DARPA-funded EnCharge AI is seeking to raise $70M to further develop its groundbreaking chip technology that has the potential to revolutionize AI computing.
Chipmaking Endeavors
EnCharge AI is one of the pioneers of a new trend in AI hardware with a focus on in-memory computing. This approach deviates from conventional architectures since data is processed directly in memory storage units. Since EnCharge’s chips require very little data traffic between the memory and the processing unit, they can deliver incredible speed and power-saving capabilities.
The start-up company, known as EnCharge AI Inc., enters the technological competition to produce novel chips to support the existing artificial intelligence trend. Processing power is a rare and valuable commodity in the realm of AI, boosting chip manufacturer Nvidia Corp.’s market value to over $2 trillion and inspiring OpenAI head Sam Altman to seek billions for chip manufacturing plans.
Image Source: BNN bloomberg
Interest of the US Government
The US government is also involved in funding startups and investing billions of dollars to subsidize manufacturing in the United States. EnCharge was developed with the backing of Darpa and the DoD or the Defense Department, according to the company CEO, Naveen Verma.
The startup was started by Naveen Verma but he is still affiliated with Princeton University as a professor of electrical and computer engineering. Naveen Verma said that the startup is seeking strategic investors in its upcoming round. He was reluctant to discuss the specifics of the funding discussions or the company’s worth any further.
Naveen Verma quoted, “Even as we were spinning out, Darpa was helpful in getting us our first investors.”
Naveen Verma added that besides the continually increasing requirements of private firms, the US government needs faster chips as well. For instance, the capability of deploying military applications of artificial intelligence where power may be a constraint such as in the field or an aircraft, is emerging as one of the most imperative defense needs. Verma noted that the 50-person company currently has customers testing its chip and technology and aims to launch products produced by TSMC in the next year.
Role of DARPA
EnCharge’s technology is highly valuable and relevant to the current and future defense applications as demonstrated by DARPA’s interest in it. It is an organization that nurtures and funds projects that are deemed to be risky but capable of yielding great technological innovations. EnCharge AI has set its sights on advancing the limits of AI hardware with the support of DARPA.
Eye on increasing the production capacity
EnCharge has set a target of raising $70 million. It will be crucial for increasing the production capacity and bringing the in-memory computing chips to market. The highlighted invention can potentially displace several industries such as data centers, edges, and auto systems since it offers a higher AI processing capacity.
Conclusion
EnCharge AI announced that it is seeking $70 million in funding to change the fundamentals of AI hardware. EnCharge AI, thanks to DARPA and thanks to its disruptive in-memory computing technology, is ready to bring a change in the AI landscape and provide a way to build more effective and scalable AI solutions.
Image Source: inside HPC
