What SiMa.ai does

SiMa.ai is a fabless semiconductor company founded in November 2018 and headquartered in San Jose, California, that designs the Modalix Machine Learning System-on-Chip (MLSoC) platform purpose-built for Physical AI workloads at the edge. The second-generation Modalix chip, manufactured on TSMC's N6 process with an Arm-based heterogeneous compute architecture and Micron LPDDR5X memory integration, delivers 50 TOPS at under 10 watts of power consumption for computer vision, large language model, vision-language model, and generative AI inference. The company sells its silicon in multiple form factors — Modalix SoM pin-compatible with NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX/Nano, a PCIe HHHL card developed with Advantech, chip-down BGA designs for OEMs, and a DevKit — complemented by the Palette software suite comprising the Palette SDK compiler, Edgematic visual pipeline builder, Model Browser, and the Palette Neat agentic development environment launched in June 2026.

SiMa.ai operates a hybrid business model combining hardware sales (chips, SoMs, PCIe cards, DevKits priced from $449 to $1,499) with software licensing through the Palette SDK. Go-to-market is anchored on direct enterprise sales to automotive OEMs, industrial manufacturers, defense contractors, and drone makers, augmented by an exclusive distribution network — Arrow Electronics for EMEA, Macnica for Japan, and Ortecs for Israel — plus an ODM and system integrator channel that includes Advantech, Enclustra, Kontron, and Lanner. Disclosed design wins span TRUMPF (industrial lasers), Emerson Electric (industrial PCs), Baxter International (medical device manufacturing), ARC Aerospace (defense flight computers), STIGA (robotic lawn mowers), Virya Autonomous Technologies (autonomous mobility), and an unnamed large two-wheeler manufacturer (retail analytics).

The company has raised $355 million in cumulative capital across multiple rounds, most recently an $85 million oversubscribed round led by Maverick Capital in August 2025 and a strategic investment from Micron Technology in April 2026. SiMa.ai maintains offices in eight countries (United States, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Poland, and Taiwan) and operates a wholly-owned India subsidiary. Leadership includes former Xilinx CEO Moshe Gavrielov as Chairman and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan as a board member, with Krishna Rangasayee serving as founder and CEO. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the company remains privately held.

Name

SiMa.ai

Legal name

SiMa Technologies, Inc.

Website

https://sima.ai

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SiMa.ai is a fabless semiconductor company that designs the Modalix Machine Learning System-on-Chip (50 TOPS under 10W) and Palette software suite for Physical AI inference at the edge, serving automotive, industrial, defense, drone, healthcare, and retail OEMs globally through direct sales and regional distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Edge AI Silicon

NAICS

Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing (334418)

SIC

Electronic Components, Nec (3679)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

On-Device Inference Runtimes & SDKs (mobile/embedded) (HDAAAJAB), Real-Time Vision at the Edge (on-device CV/video) (HDAAAJAE), AI Application Enablement Platforms (Copilot/Agent Frameworks, SDKs) (HDAEANAJ)

Keywords

• Edge AI silicon
• Machine learning SoC
• AI inference hardware
• Edge AI software
• Embedded AI platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

San Jose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of Modalix MLSoC chips, System-on-Modules (SoM), PCIe cards (HHHL), and Development Kits to customers for edge AI deployment.
2. Software Licensing: Revenue from Palette SDK software platform including Palette Neat agentic development environment, Model Compiler, and runtime licenses.
3. Development Kit Sales: Sale of Modalix DevKit platforms at $1,499 for full development platform with carrier board, SoM, cables, documentation and pre-installed Palette software.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SiMa.ai develops and sells the Modalix Machine Learning System-on-Chip (MLSoC) family, a purpose-built edge AI silicon platform delivering 50 TOPS at under 10W on TSMC N6 with Arm A65 heterogeneous architecture, available as System-on-Modules, PCIe HHHL cards, chip-down BGA packages, and DevKits. The Palette software suite (Palette SDK compiler, Palette Neat agentic development environment, Edgematic visual pipeline builder, Model Browser, and Llima LLM/VLM toolchain) enables ONNX model compilation and deployment of CNNs, transformers, LLMs, VLMs, and Generative AI models at the edge.

Product overview

SiMa.ai offers a unified Physical AI platform combining purpose-built MLSoC hardware with an integrated software suite. The Modalix MLSoC family (second-generation) provides 50 TOPS in under 10W, available as System-on-Module (SoM), PCIe HHHL Card, chip-down BGA, or DevKit. The Palette software platform includes Palette Neat (agentic development environment), Palette SDK (model compiler and toolchain), Edgematic (visual pipeline builder), Model Browser (model selection and download), and Palette Llima (LLM/VLM optimization framework). The platform runs multiple LLMs, VLMs, and CNN models concurrently, enabling multimodal AI at the edge for robotics, automotive, drones, industrial automation, aerospace, defense, smart vision, and healthcare applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Modalix: Second-generation Machine Learning System-on-Chip (MLSoC) platform for Physical AI applications, delivering 50 TOPS at under 10W power consumption.
• Palette SDK
• Palette Neat

Products and services

• Modalix MLSoC Family Purpose-built Machine Learning System-on-Chip family delivering 50 TOPS with sub-10W power consumption for Physical AI applications including vision, perception, and autonomous systems. Built on TSMC N6 process with Arm-based heterogeneous architecture supporting CNN, ViT, LLM, and LMM workloads.
• Modalix SoM (System-on-Module) Production-ready system-on-module integrating the Modalix 50 TOPS MLSoC. Pin-compatible with NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX and Nano, enabling drop-in AI upgrades on existing carrier boards without redesign. Available from $449 per unit with volume pricing.
• Modalix PCIe HHHL Card Half-Height Half-Length PCIe add-in card designed for standard commercial and industrial PCs and edge servers. Doubles predecessor performance while operating under 10W. Features PCIe Gen5 x8 interface, passive cooling, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.
• Modalix Chip-Down Design Direct PCB integration of Modalix MLSoC for tightest SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) profile, designed for ODMs and system integrators requiring maximum design freedom. Available in BGA package via contact sales.
• Modalix DevKit Complete hardware development platform with SiMa.ai Palette software pre-installed. Includes carrier board, SoM, cables, and documentation. Available at $1,499 including SoM, PSU, 500GB NVMe M.2, and SiMa.ai Palette SDK.
• Palette SDK Integrated AI application environment and compiler toolchain that compiles any ONNX model directly to SiMa.ai hardware-optimized binary in a single API call. Handles quantization (FP32 to INT8/BF16), layer-wise precision mapping, and memory layout optimization automatically. Supports 200+ ONNX/Hugging Face models including CNN, ViT, LLM, and GenAI architectures.
• Palette Neat Agentic development environment for Physical AI that collapses complex application timelines from months to days or hours. Open-source platform with natural-language interface enabling developers to build systems using plain English commands, with agents autonomously constructing applications and mapping them to silicon hardware. Preserves approximately 90% of legacy software investment.
• Edgematic Visual drag-and-drop development tool for building AI application pipelines. Enables rapid prototyping and deployment of multi-sensor AI applications without writing code, and integrates with AWS for cloud-to-edge deployment.
• Model Browser Interactive web-based tool for exploring and downloading compiled AI models optimized for SiMa.ai Modalix hardware. Provides performance benchmarks and specifications for CNN and LLM/VLM models including Gemma 3, Llama, Mistral, Phi, Qwen, and LLaVA variants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5x higher YOLOv8n performance than NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX (1,414 FPS vs. competitors)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability16 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Mistral Solutions (AXISCADES subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Strategic partnership to develop AI-powered autonomous drone reference platform supporting GPS-denied navigation, obstacle detection, sensor fusion, and mission planning. Joint reference design optimized for SWaP constraints enabling sub-10W power operation. Platform targets drone OEMs and system integrators in defense, industrial, and commercial sectors.
• Emerson ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Collaboration integrating SiMa.ai's MLSoC technology into Emerson's industrial PCs for factory floors and remote operations. Enables high-performance edge computing without cloud connectivity. Targets industrial automation sector projected to grow from $43.6B (2024) to $153.9B (2030) at 23% CAGR.
• ARC AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2026Partnership to develop next-generation advanced flight computers for attritable autonomous systems and low-cost counter-drone missiles. Ruby FC and Ruby CEP series flight computers integrated with MLSoC family for navigation in GPS-denied environments, sensor fusion, and real-time target acquisition.
• FUJISOFTstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 31 March 2026MOU to accelerate Physical AI deployment in Japan. FUJISOFT developing POC solutions on Modalix architecture and providing hardware/software development support for organizations implementing AI-enabled products.
• Nota AIcoreTechnology or Integration · 25 March 2026Strategic partnership combining Nota AI's NetsPresso model compression (90%+ model size reduction) with SiMa.ai's Modalix MLSoC (25-200 TOPS, 10x performance-per-watt). Targets intelligent transportation systems, security/surveillance, and robotics markets.
• AdvantechcoreTechnology or Integration · 23 March 2026Partnership to develop Modalix PCIe HHHL Card. Advantech contributes industrial IPC platform expertise for seamless integration of AI processing into industrial PCs.
• Images TechnologystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026Strategic partnership for market entry into Korea. Images provides ultra-precision sensing and actuation technologies including tactile sensing for humanoid robot applications while leveraging SiMa.ai's high-efficiency MLSoC-based AI platform.
• KontronstrategicTechnology or Integration · 13 March 2026Partnership to launch KBox A-151 EAI industrial edge AI computer delivering 50+ TOPS performance integrating SiMa.ai's MLSoC Modalix accelerator with 13th Gen Intel Core or Atom processors.
• STIGA S.p.A.strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Partnership to integrate Physical AI into robotic lawn mowers for domestic and commercial markets. STIGA leverages SiMa's ultra-low-latency, power-efficient MLSoC platform for real-time decision-making in autonomous garden equipment.
• Kaynes SemiconstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 15 January 2026Partnership to accelerate Physical AI innovation in India and global markets. Focuses on co-developing defense-oriented AI solutions, designing production reference boards for MLSoC platforms, and enabling Make in India electronic systems for industrial automation, robotics, automotive, aerospace, and defense.
• SynopsyscoreTechnology or Integration · 6 January 2026First integrated joint capability to accelerate automotive AI SoC development. Combined solution enables early architecture exploration and pre-silicon software development for ADAS and IVI applications. Can reduce development costs and shorten vehicle time-to-market by up to 12 months.
• TSMCcoreTechnology or Integration · 27 September 2025Foundry partner for Modalix chip manufacturing. Modalix built on TSMC N6 process.
• Cerence AIcoreTechnology or Integration · 4 September 2025Partnership to power next-gen conversational AI at the edge for automotive applications. CaLLM Edge optimized to run on SiMa.ai MLSoC Modalix platform enabling low-power, low-latency in-car interaction without cloud connectivity.
• L&T Technology Services (LTTS)strategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 3 September 2025Partnership to deliver AI-driven solutions across mobility, healthcare, industrial automation, and robotics. LTTS provides engineering expertise while SiMa.ai supplies MLSoC ONE AI hardware and software platforms.
• TRUMPFcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 August 2025Partnership for AI-supported laser systems for welding, cutting, and marking in manufacturing. TRUMPF leverages SiMa.ai's edge AI platform for intelligent industrial solutions since 2024.
• EnclustrastrategicTechnology or Integration · 15 August 2025Partnership to develop pin-compatible System-on-Module using Enclustra's integration expertise and LLiMa Framework for running AI models offline.
• Macnica (Japan)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 July 2025Strategic distribution agreement to accelerate Physical AI adoption in Japan market.
• CiscostrategicTechnology or Integration · 16 July 2025Partnership to bring low-latency, energy-efficient AI to Industry 4.0 by combining SiMa.ai's Modalix AI platform with Cisco's IE3500 industrial Ethernet switches.
• Wind RiverstrategicTechnology or Integration · 20 May 2025Collaboration to enable seamless AI/ML for intelligent edge applications. Integration combines Wind River's software stack with SiMa.ai's MLSoC for mission-critical aerospace, defense, robotics, and industrial automation deployments.
• Ortecs (Israel)strategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 July 2024Representative and distribution agreement for MLSoC products in Israel.
• Arrow ElectronicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 May 2024Exclusive distribution agreement in EMEA region for MLSoC, Palette Software and Development Kits. Arrow serves as region's exclusive distributor.
• ArmcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing Arm-based architecture (8-core 1.5GHz Arm A65 microprocessor) integrated into Modalix MLSoC. SiMa.ai participates in Arm Flexible Access licensing program for edge AI platform.
• Virya Autonomous TechnologiesstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bring powerful edge-AI capabilities for real-time, low-power decision-making enabling smarter, faster, and scalable solutions for India's autonomous mobility space.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• NVIDIA: NVIDIA's Jetson Orin NX/Nano is the explicit pin-compatibility target for SiMa.ai's Modalix SoM, and both companies compete head-on for low-power on-device AI inference in robotics, industrial, automotive, and edge AI workloads.
• Hailo: Hailo builds edge AI accelerators (Hailo-8, Hailo-15) for the same industrial, automotive, and vision workloads as Modalix, with similar performance-per-watt positioning and overlap in camera and industrial PC partners.
• Axelera AI: Axelera AI develops edge AI accelerators (Metis) targeting computer vision and GenAI workloads at the edge — a near-direct competitor on inference TOPS/W and Model Browser-style developer tooling.
• Graphcore: Graphcore develops IPUs for low-latency AI inference, with edge-focused positioning for industrial and enterprise workloads that overlap Modalix's target use cases and developer-tooling strategies.

Broad incumbents

• Qualcomm: Qualcomm's IoT and Snapdragon Ride/Automotive platforms offer on-device AI for industrial, automotive, and IoT, competing with Modalix across smart cameras, robotics, and ADAS adjacencies as part of a much broader silicon portfolio.
• Intel (Movidius / OpenVINO): Intel's Movidius VPU line and OpenVINO ecosystem serve edge inference across industrial, retail, and surveillance — overlapping Modalix's industrial PC and vision workloads as part of a much larger compute portfolio.
• AMD (Xilinx): AMD/Xilinx's Kria SOM and Versal adaptive SoCs target embedded vision and edge AI in industrial and robotics — the same SiMa.ai verticals — as part of AMD's broader FPGA and adaptive compute portfolio.

Emerging players

• Cerebras Systems: Cerebras primarily targets data-center scale AI but is increasingly competing for on-device and Physical AI workloads; both companies are profiled together in edge AI infrastructure rankings.
• Tenstorrent: Tenstorrent builds RISC-V-based AI accelerators targeting edge and data center; they overlap with Modalix on custom-silicon development ecosystems and developer-tools positioning for low-power AI.

Others

• Synopsys: Synopsys is both a SiMa.ai partner (joint automotive AI SoC blueprint) and an EDA ecosystem enabler whose IP is used in competitors' edge AI silicon; tangential rather than direct overlap but ecosystem-level comparability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/sima-neat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sima-ai
• Xx.com/SiMa_Inc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds11 records

Investors18 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 SiMa.ai