Axelera AI

What Axelera AI does

Axelera AI is a Dutch fabless AI semiconductor company founded in July 2021 and headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The company designs and sells purpose-built AI inference accelerators based on a proprietary Digital In-Memory Computing (D-IMC) architecture with RISC-V vector extensions, positioning itself as a European sovereign alternative to GPU-based AI inference. Its product portfolio spans three generations: the Metis AIPU (214 TOPS at approximately 10W) shipping today in M.2 and PCIe form factors, the Europa processor (629 TOPS, 3x–5x performance over Metis, samples expected Q2 2026) targeting automotive, robotics, and edge servers, and the Titania chiplet (expected 2027–2028) for HPC and data center deployments under the EuroHPC JU DARE Project. The Voyager SDK provides end-to-end model deployment built on Apache TVM, with a Model Zoo of 100+ pre-optimized models covering computer vision, NLP, and generative AI workloads.

The company monetizes through hardware sales (accelerator cards, compute boards, and evaluation systems) distributed via its own webstore, a global Partner Accelerator Network (Dell, Lenovo, Advantech, SECO, Aetina), and European distribution through Macnica. Supplementary revenue comes from Voyager SDK licensing and non-dilutive EU funding, including a €61.6M EuroHPC JU grant and participation in the CONVOLVE, CHASSIS, and RIGOLETTO EU projects. Axelera serves enterprise customers across defense and security, industrial manufacturing, robotics, retail, agritech, physical security, HPC, space and satellite systems, and smart cities, with named deployments at the European Space Agency, Bull, Telefonica, SECO, 2CRSI, and other partners. As of early 2026 the company reported over $450 million in cumulative funding and 500+ global customers, with an estimated ~$71M in annual revenue and a pipeline cited above $100M.

Name

Axelera AI

Legal name

Axelera AI B.V.

Website

https://axelera.ai

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Axelera AI is a Dutch fabless semiconductor company that designs D-IMC AI inference accelerators (Metis, Europa, Titania) and the Voyager SDK for edge-to-data-center deployment, serving enterprise customers across defense, industrial, robotics, retail, HPC, and space.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Edge AI Accelerators

NAICS

Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411), Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (334118), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Electronic Computers (3571), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Edge AI Hardware & NPUs (SoCs, modules, accelerators) (HDAAAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

AI Accelerators (GPUs/TPUs/NPUs/ASICs) (HDAAAAAA), AI/Neural Processing Units (NPUs) & ML Accelerators (HDAHAJAF), AI Server Systems & HGX/Accelerator Platforms (HDAAAAAB), AI Compiler, Runtime & Kernel Optimization Software (CUDA/ROCm/XLA, graph compilers) (HDAAAAAI)

Keywords

• Edge AI inference
• AI accelerator hardware
• AI processing units
• Computer vision chips
• AI deployment software

Headquarters

HQ city

Eindhoven

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. AI Accelerator Hardware Sales: Sale of Metis and Europa AI Processing Units (AIPUs) in M.2 and PCIe form factors, along with complete evaluation systems and development platforms. Manufacturing scale-up supported through partnerships with TSMC and Samsung.
2. Software Licenses (Voyager SDK): Voyager SDK software stack licensed for deployment and optimization of AI models on Axelera hardware. Available via GitHub with open-source and commercial licensing terms. Software updates and technical support provided as additional services.
3. EU Research Grants: Co-funded by European Union Horizon research programs and EuroHPC Joint Undertaking initiatives including CONVOLVE, DARE, RIGOLETTO, and CHASSIS projects, contributing to R&D funding.
4. EU Grant (EuroHPC): Up to €61.6 million grant from EuroHPC JU and member states under the DARE Project for Titania chiplet development, expected to be deployed in HPC and data center solutions by 2027-2028.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Axelera AI designs and sells purpose-built AI accelerator hardware (AI Processing Units, or AIPUs) based on its proprietary Digital In-Memory Computing (D-IMC) architecture and RISC-V technology for edge AI inference workloads. Its commercial lineup includes the Metis AIPU family (214 TOPS at ~10W) delivered as M.2 and PCIe accelerator cards, the Europa second-generation processor (629 TOPS) targeting automotive, robotics, and edge servers, and the Titania chiplet for HPC/data center deployments expected in 2027. The Voyager SDK, Model Zoo with 100+ pre-optimized AI models, and Metis Compute Board evaluation system round out the end-to-end offering for developers and system integrators.

Product overview

Axelera AI offers a three-generation AI inference hardware and software portfolio: Metis (first-gen, 214 TOPS) and Europa (second-gen, 629 TOPS) are edge AI processors in the AIPU family, with Titania (third-gen chiplet, expected 2027) targeting HPC and data centers. Hardware is available in M.2, PCIe, and compute board form factors. The Voyager SDK provides end-to-end software deployment with 100+ Model Zoo models. The platform uses proprietary Digital In-Memory Computing (D-IMC) architecture with RISC-V technology for power-efficient inference at the edge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Metis AI Processing Unit (AIPU) First-generation AI inference accelerator chip delivering 214 TOPS at approximately 10W using Digital In-Memory Computing (D-IMC) architecture, available in quad-core M.2 and PCIe configurations for embedded and edge server deployments.
• Metis M.2 AI Accelerator Card M.2 form factor edge AI accelerator card powered by a quad-core Metis AIPU, designed for embedded systems and space-constrained deployments.
• Metis M.2 Max AI Accelerator Card High-performance M.2 AI inference accelerator card that delivers PCIe-card-level performance in an M.2 form factor, designed for the most compute-intensive edge AI inference applications including LLMs.
• Metis PCIe AI Accelerator Card PCIe AI accelerator card powered by a quad-core Metis AIPU, available in single and 4x quad-core configurations for higher compute demands and capable of running 16 simultaneous YOLO V5 video streams per chip.
• Metis Compute Board Evaluation and development board with an ARM-based RK3588 processor integrated with the Metis AIPU, used for rapid prototyping and testing of edge AI inference applications.
• Voyager SDK End-to-end integrated software stack for deploying AI applications to Axelera Metis edge devices, featuring declarative YAML pipeline configuration, a Model Zoo of 100+ pre-optimized AI models, Apache TVM-based ML compiler with proprietary quantization, GStreamer-based preprocessing, and PyTorch compatibility. Available via GitHub with open-source and commercial licensing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Metis AIPU performs 214 TOPS at approximately 10W power consumption, representing industry-leading power efficiency for edge AI inference
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability8 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• NEMA-MedBot-Miky (Community Project)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 May 2026Community assistive robotics platform integrating Axelera AI's Metis chip for neural inference, using OrangePi 5 Plus running ROS2 for orchestration with clinical validation planned via a medical partner in Brescia. Project code and documentation publicly available on GitHub.
• BullcoreTechnology or Integration · 21 April 2026Bull (formerly Atos subsidiary, now independent following French State's acquisition) integrating Axelera AI's edge AI hardware accelerators into the BullSequana XH3500 AI-optimized supercomputer for Sweden's Mimer AI factory at Linköping University. Marked Bull's first major strategic announcement as an independent entity.
• Kudelski LabscoreTechnology or Integration · 27 March 2026Integration of Kudelski Labs' Kudelski Secure Enclave (KSE3) into Axelera AI's Europa Edge AI platform during embedded world Germany, enhancing security features for edge AI applications in industrial automation and autonomous robotics. Demonstrated KLARQ autonomous robotic platform showcasing EU Cyber Resilience Act compliance.
• Multiverse ComputingcoreTechnology or Integration · 18 March 2026Strategic technology collaboration to deploy compressed AI models directly on Axelera's Metis and Europa edge computing platforms using Multiverse's CompactifAI technology that can shrink LLMs by up to 95% with only 2-3% precision loss. Joint commercialization program targets industrial, retail, mobility, defense, and smart city deployments. Supported by the European Innovation Council and framed around European technological sovereignty goals.
• DeGirumcoreTechnology or Integration · 17 March 2026Technology partnership integrating DeGirum's computer vision, generative AI, and inferencing applications with Axelera AI's Metis Edge AI Processors. Provides Axelera customers one year of premium technical support from DeGirum, scalable application deployment, and remote hardware performance testing capabilities.
• Neuromorphic Computing NL (NC-NL)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026New national coalition launched in the Netherlands advancing energy-efficient neuromorphic computing technology, bringing together universities, research organizations, and companies including Axelera AI, Innatera, Hoursec, and IMChip to address AI energy consumption challenges.
• European Space Agency (ESA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026Strategic partnership to embed Metis AI inference accelerator into ESA's future European space infrastructure for real-time on-board satellite processing. Collaboration addresses radiation hardening challenges for decade-long satellite missions, with ESA's Φ-sat-2 nanosatellite serving as operational validation.
• European Space Agency (ESA) Φ-lab IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026ESA's national hub for space-enabled AI launched February 13, 2026, working alongside IBM Research Europe's TerraMind foundation model to provide software infrastructure for Axelera's space-rated hardware accelerators.
• ArteriscoreTechnology or Integration · 23 October 2025Arteris licensed its FlexNoC 5 interconnect IP to Axelera AI for development of the Europa platform, enhancing high-performance AI inference at the edge through physical awareness technology that supports various AI frameworks with power and performance efficiency.
• SECOcoreTechnology or Integration · 29 September 2025SECO integrates Axelera Metis AIPU into its SOM-COMe-BT6-RK3588 module for automotive inspection applications, demonstrating real-time multi-stream video processing with advanced AI acceleration for industrial quality control.
• UltralyticscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Joint demonstration partnership at CES 2026 showcasing YOLO model performance on Axelera's Metis platform. Ultralytics YOLO models are featured in Axelera's Voyager SDK Model Zoo for computer vision applications.
• AdvantechcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Advantech offers pre-configured evaluation systems combining Metis PCIe with MIC-770v3 and ARK-3534 embedded computers. Advantech CEO Joey Hsu cited Axelera's sovereign technology and long-term availability as key selection criteria for ESA missions.
• Dell TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Dell offers Metis PCIe integrated with Dell Pro Slim Plus XE5 as a validated edge AI system, available through Dell's commercial sales channel and Axlvera's webstore.
• LenovocoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Lenovo offers Metis PCIe with Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra as a validated evaluation system for edge AI deployment.
• MacnicacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Macnica as Axelera AI's first European distributor, bringing state-of-the-art AI acceleration technology to customers across Europe with industry-leading performance and efficiency for edge applications. Partnership reduces development complexity and time-to-market for European customers.
• CHASSIS (Chips JU Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025€70.7M Chips Joint Undertaking project (November 2025 – October 2028) with 19 partners across 8 countries. Axelera contributes a high-performance AI accelerator chiplet built on D-IMC architecture for automotive applications (ADAS, autonomous driving), serving as consortium Risk Manager.
• RIGOLETTO (Chips JU Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Three-year Chips JU project (2025–2028) building next-gen automotive computing platform on RISC-V. Consortium led by Infineon with Axelera, NXP, STMicroelectronics, Bosch. Axelera co-designing on-chip math features for efficient neural network processing and validating ultra-compact number formats.
• TelefonicacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Telefonica enabling best-in-class AI solutions integrating seamlessly with global partners' platforms, advancing energy-efficient inference-focused AI technologies developed in Europe for sustainable and resilient AI deployments.
• 2CRSIcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 20252CRSI ensuring sovereign, predictable, Europe-based AI supply chain for resilient edge to HPC systems. Collaboration strengthens long-term availability across 2CRSI's portfolio from embedded platforms to large-scale datacenter deployments.
• DARE Consortium (EuroHPC JU)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023€240 million EuroHPC Joint Undertaking project coordinated by Barcelona Supercomputing Center with 38 organizations. Axelera developing Titania AI inference chiplet as part of this initiative, awarded up to €61.6M funding for scalable HPC and AI chiplet development targeting 2027-2028 deployment.
• CONVOLVE (EU Horizon Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022EU Horizon Europe project with 18 academic and industry partners enforcing Europe's position in smart edge processor design and development, taking a holistic approach from application through circuit and device level. Axelera contributes to the full design stack.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hailo: Israel-based edge AI accelerator company shipping M.2/PCIe inference modules with a competing TOPS/W proposition for computer vision at the edge. Most direct comparable to Axelera's Metis line in target use cases, form factors, and customer segments.
• SiMa.ai: Edge AI inference chip startup focused on multimodal workloads at low power, also co-listed with Axelera in CRN's 2026 IoT 50. Competes head-to-head in industrial, automotive, and smart vision edge deployments.
• Mythic: Analog in-memory computing edge AI chip company targeting power-constrained inference. Mentioned alongside Axelera in CRN's 2026 IoT 50; competes in the same analog/mixed-signal alternative-architecture narrative for edge AI.

Emerging players

• Innatera: Dutch neuromorphic spiking-neural-network chip company; co-member with Axelera in the NC-NL neuromorphic computing coalition. Emerging player in ultra-low-power edge AI with overlapping Dutch deep-tech ecosystem and talent pool.
• Tenstorrent: RISC-V-based AI accelerator company building chiplet-based inference and training hardware. Directly comparable on RISC-V/open-architecture positioning and on the chiplet roadmap that Axelera is pursuing with Titania.
• Groq: AI inference silicon company focused on low-latency, high-throughput language model serving. Competes for inference workloads at scale, intersecting with Axelera's Europa/Titania ambitions in the data center tier.

Broad incumbents

• Qualcomm: Global mobile and edge AI platform incumbent with AI Engine on Snapdragon and IoT chipsets. Co-listed with Axelera in CRN's IoT 50; represents the largest incumbent threat in edge inference across smartphones, IoT, and automotive.
• Intel: Incumbent CPU/accelerator vendor with Movidius, Habana Labs, and OpenVINO stack serving edge and data center AI. Competes on full-stack software breadth and supply-chain scale; co-listed in CRN's 2026 IoT 50.
• NVIDIA: Dominant AI accelerator incumbent (Jetson for edge, Tensor Core GPUs for data center) with the deepest AI software stack (CUDA, TensorRT). The primary competitive benchmark on TOPS/W and developer mindshare for any AI chip company.
• AMD (Xilinx): Broad semiconductor incumbent with Versal adaptive SoCs, Ryzen AI, and Alveo accelerators covering edge to data center. Competes with Axelera in industrial, automotive (ADAS), and embedded vision segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AxeleraAI
• GitHubgithub.com/axelera-ai-hub/voyager-sdk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@axeleraai
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/axelera-ai
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds10 records

Investors17 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Axelera AI