KiviCore GmbH

What KiviCore GmbH does

KiviCore GmbH is a Dresden, Germany-based deep-tech company founded by Dr. Frank Deicke (CEO) and Dr. Andreas Weder (CTO), both PhD-holders and former Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft engineers with combined 20+ years of experience in embedded systems and semiconductor IP development. The company designs, develops and licenses primitive cryptographic IP cores for FPGA and ASIC implementations, organized into three product families: KiviPQC (post-quantum cryptography implementing the NIST-standardized ML-KEM/FIPS 203 and ML-DSA/FIPS 204 algorithms in Fast and Tiny variants, plus the integrated KiviPQC-Box), KiviHash (SHA-3, SHA-256, SHA-512/384 hash functions and HMAC variants), and KiviCrypt (AES-GCM authenticated encryption). All cores are optimized for minimal logic usage and integrate via AXI4-Lite and HAL/API interfaces. KiviCore also offers consulting and hardware/software co-design services for secure ASIC, FPGA and microcontroller-based systems, plus packaged solutions for PQC migration, secure boot and secure updates, and EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and IEC 62443-4-2 compliance.

The business operates as a privately held, founder-owned GmbH with no disclosed external funding. Revenue is generated through direct enterprise B2B sales of IP core licenses (multi-year contracts, terms not publicly disclosed) and quote-based professional services. A free IP Core Evaluation Portal serves as a top-of-funnel conversion mechanism for registered users across supported FPGA platforms. The company distributes globally via channel partnerships: CAST Inc. for worldwide IP distribution, formalized membership in the partner networks of Altera (ASAP), Lattice Semiconductor, Efinix, Microchip and Menta, plus regional European distribution through TRS-STAR. Customers and collaborators include embedded systems manufacturers, semiconductor companies designing ASICs/SoCs, and specialized verticals such as space/satellite communications (SECUSAT with GomSpace), industrial automation, and neurotechnology (NAFAS brain-computer interface project with Zander Labs). KiviCore is actively positioned for the EU CRA regulatory wave and the broader industry migration to post-quantum cryptography.

Name

KiviCore GmbH

Legal name

KiviCore GmbH

Website

https://kivicore.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

KiviCore GmbH licenses cryptographic and post-quantum security IP cores (KiviPQC, KiviHash, KiviCrypt) for FPGA and ASIC designs, and provides embedded security consulting and co-design services to semiconductor companies and embedded systems manufacturers across Europe and global channel partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cryptographic Semiconductor IP Cores

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Key Management, Encryption & Secrets Management (KMS/HSM/Vault) (HDABAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Secrets Management (Passwords, API Keys, Tokens) (HDADAFAD)

Keywords

• Security IP cores
• Post-quantum cryptography
• Embedded security design
• FPGA security solutions
• Semiconductor IP licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Dresden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. IP Core Licensing: KiviCore develops and licenses primitive cryptographic IP cores that form the basis for complex cryptographic protocols and security systems. Customers license the IP cores for integration into their FPGA and ASIC designs.
2. Security Consulting Services: Consulting services for development of secure ASIC, FPGA, and MCU-based systems. Includes security concept and architecture development for embedded systems and products.
3. Hardware/Software Co-Design Services: Design services for secure FPGA and MCU-based systems, including development and integration of security mechanisms into embedded products and systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KiviCore develops and licenses cryptographic IP cores for FPGA and ASIC-based embedded systems, including post-quantum cryptography (KiviPQC family implementing ML-KEM and ML-DSA), cryptographic hash functions (KiviHash family with SHA-3, SHA-256, SHA-512/384, and HMAC variants), and AES-GCM authenticated encryption (KiviCrypt). The company complements these IP products with ASIC/SoC, FPGA, and embedded electronics security consulting services, plus packaged solutions for PQC integration, secure boot, and EU Cyber Resilience Act compliance.

Product overview

KiviCore GmbH offers a comprehensive portfolio of cryptographic IP Cores and security solutions for embedded systems. The product lineup centers on primitive cryptographic IP Cores organized into three families: KiviPQC (Post-Quantum Cryptography) including KiviPQC-KEM for ML-KEM key encapsulation, KiviPQC-DSA for ML-DSA digital signatures, and KiviPQC-Box combining both; KiviHash covering SHA-3, SHA-256, SHA-512/384 hash functions plus HMAC variants; and KiviCrypt featuring AES-GCM authenticated encryption. These IP Cores are licensed to customers for FPGA and ASIC integration. The portfolio is complemented by the IP Core Evaluation Portal for free evaluation access, professional services including ASIC/SoC Security, FPGA Security, and Embedded Electronics Security, and packaged solutions for PQC integration, secure boot, and EU Cyber Resilience Act compliance. The company also provides IEC 62443-4-2 engineering assessments and Security Product Check-Up services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KiviPQC: Post-Quantum Cryptography IP Core Family - includes KiviPQC-KEM (ML-KEM, FIPS 203) for key exchange, KiviPQC-DSA (ML-DSA, FIPS 204) for digital signatures, and KiviPQC-Box integrating both algorithms.
• KiviHash
• KiviCrypt

Products and services

• KiviPQC-KEM Post-quantum cryptographic IP core implementing ML-KEM (FIPS 203) for quantum-safe key exchange and key encapsulation. Available in Fast and Tiny versions optimized for FPGA and ASIC implementations with minimal logic usage and easy AXI4-Lite and HAL/API integration.
• KiviPQC-DSA Post-quantum cryptographic IP core implementing ML-DSA (FIPS 204) for quantum-safe digital signatures. Available in Fast and Tiny versions optimized for minimal logic usage in FPGA and ASIC designs.
• KiviPQC-Box Integrated post-quantum IP core combining KiviPQC-KEM (ML-KEM key encapsulation) and KiviPQC-DSA (ML-DSA digital signatures) algorithms for comprehensive quantum-safe protection in a single package.
• KiviHash-SHA3 Cryptographic hash function IP core implementing SHA-3 for FIPS-compliant secure hashing in FPGA and ASIC designs.
• KiviHash-SHA256 Cryptographic hash function IP core implementing SHA-256 for secure hashing in embedded FPGA and ASIC systems.
• KiviHash-SHA512/384 Cryptographic hash function IP core implementing SHA-512 and SHA-384 standards for high-security hashing applications in embedded systems.
• KiviHash-HMAC-SHA256 HMAC (Hash-based Message Authentication Code) IP core based on SHA-256 for message authentication and integrity verification in FPGA and ASIC designs.
• KiviHash-HMAC-SHA512 HMAC IP core based on SHA-512 for message authentication with enhanced security for high-assurance applications in embedded systems.
• KiviCrypt-AES-GCM AES-GCM authenticated encryption IP core providing both encryption and authentication in a single construction for secure communication in FPGA and ASIC designs.
• ASIC/SoC Security Services Consulting and hardware/software co-design services for secure ASIC or SoC systems, including security architecture development and integration of cryptographic mechanisms into new chip designs.
• FPGA Security Services Consulting and hardware/software co-design services for secure FPGA-based embedded systems, including security concept development and integration of security mechanisms.
• Embedded Electronics Security Services Consulting and hardware/software co-design services for secure embedded products and systems, including security architecture for microcontroller-based devices.
• PQC Evaluation & Integration Package Solution package helping companies validate post-quantum cryptography on target platforms (FPGA, ASIC, MCU) before vendor selection, including real resource cost, integration effort, and migration path analysis.
• Secure Boot & Secure Updates Package Solution package for implementing secure boot and secure update mechanisms in embedded FPGA, ASIC, and MCU-based systems.
• Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) Product Security Package Solution package helping companies adapt embedded products to comply with the EU Cyber Resilience Act and implement required security measures.
• IEC 62443-4-2 Engineering Assessment Technical product evaluation service helping manufacturers assess their embedded and industrial devices against IEC 62443-4-2 component security requirements and identify required changes to reach the target Security Level (SL).
• Security Product Check-Up Fast, comprehensive security assessment service providing practical recommendations to identify and address real security risks in embedded products within two weeks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Security Product Check-Up provides comprehensive assessment within two weeks, identifying real security risks and outlining priority measures

Named customers1 record

Segments4 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

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Zander LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAFAS project collaboration: KiviCore works with Zander Labs and Cyberagentur to develop a compact, mobile brain-computer interface (BCI) with secure wireless data transmission. KiviCore is responsible for designing and building a secure BCI module integrating hardware and software for authentic, integral, and confidential communication.
• GomSpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSECUSAT project: Development of quantum-resistant end-to-end security solution for SATCOM connections (ground-space, satellite-to-satellite, ground-ground via relay) based on IPsec/PQC platform built on existing GomSpace hardware and software.
• AlteramajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner of Altera's Solution Acceleration-Program (ASAP) for IP cores and design services. Altera offers FPGAs and design software used in cloud computing to edge AI applications.
• CAST Inc.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCAST Inc. is a Silicon-IP provider that develops, distributes, and supports digital IP cores for ASICs or FPGAs. KiviCore is IP Technology Partner; KiviCore's IP cores are marketed worldwide by CAST.
• Efinix Inc.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEfinix develops FPGAs focused on AI acceleration, edge computing, and compute acceleration. KiviCore is partner for IP cores and design services.
• Lattice SemiconductormajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLattice Semiconductor specializes in low-power FPGAs with global presence. KiviCore is member of Lattice Semiconductor's Partner Network as IP provider and design service partner.
• Microchip Technology Inc.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMicrochip is a broad FPGA solutions provider. KiviCore is member of Microchip's Design Partner Programme.
• Allianz für Cybersicherheit (BSI)minorOthersInitiative by Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) to strengthen cybersecurity resilience. Largest network of its kind in Europe with thousands of participating companies and institutions. KiviCore is member.
• Silicon SaxonyminorOthersSaxony's largest high-tech network and Europe's largest microelectronics cluster. Connects manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, universities, research institutions, and startups since 2000. KiviCore is member.
• LRT (Luft- und Raumfahrt Thüringen/Sachsen)minorOthersNetwork representing aerospace companies and research institutions in Saxony and Thuringia. Promotes regional industry and science, research excellence, and technology transfer. KiviCore is member.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Synopsys: Synopsys' DesignWare Security IP includes cryptography, root-of-trust, secure boot, and PQC cores integrated with the company's broader EDA toolchain. As the dominant IP vendor, it competes head-to-head with KiviCore for ASIC/SoC security IP design-ins, though it serves a much wider customer and use-case footprint.
• ESCRYPT (Bosch): ESCRYPT is a Bosch subsidiary providing automotive and IoT embedded security consulting and solutions, including cryptography implementation, secure boot, and key management. It overlaps with KiviCore's security consulting and CRA/IEC 62443 advisory services but serves primarily automotive customers at much larger scale.
• Rambus: Rambus is a major security IP core vendor offering root-of-trust, cryptographic accelerators, and hardware security modules for ASIC/FPGA/SoC, plus secure protocol IP. It competes directly with KiviCore's IP licensing business while operating a much broader portfolio and serving tier-1 semiconductor customers globally.
• Silicon Labs (Secure Vault): Silicon Labs integrates security IP (Secure Vault) into its wireless MCU platforms, providing secure boot, key management, and PQC readiness for IoT devices. As a semiconductor vendor with embedded security, it represents a vertically integrated alternative that competes with KiviCore's customer base of embedded manufacturers.
• Cadence Design Systems: Cadence offers security and cryptography IP through its IP portfolio and Tensilica processors, integrating security blocks into broader SoC design flows. It competes for the same ASIC/SoC security IP business as KiviCore while bundling security with its full EDA platform, making it a formidable incumbent.

Direct peers

• CAST Inc. CAST Inc. is both a distribution partner and direct competitor - it develops, markets, and supports digital IP cores for ASIC and FPGA, including security and cryptography cores. The partnership with KiviCore means CAST resells KiviCore's PQC IP alongside its own portfolio, making the business overlap direct at the IP core product level.
• Secure-IC: Secure-IC provides security IP cores (cryptography, secure boot, root-of-trust), embedded security consulting, and certification support (Common Criteria, FIPS). The combined IP + services + compliance model closely mirrors KiviCore's offering, with comparable European deep-tech positioning and semiconductor customer base.
• Xiphera: Xiphera is a Finnish company offering cryptographic IP cores for FPGA and ASIC, with explicit focus on post-quantum cryptography including ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SHA-3. It is the closest direct peer to KiviCore in terms of product scope (PQC + classical crypto IP cores), customer profile, and geographic region (European deep-tech).

Emerging players

• PQShield: PQShield is a UK-based post-quantum cryptography specialist offering both software libraries and hardware IP for PQC algorithms. It overlaps with KiviCore in PQC IP cores (ML-KEM, ML-DSA) but adds software-side solutions and has raised significant venture funding, positioning it as a fast-scaling emerging competitor in the same niche.
• Crypto4A: Crypto4A focuses on PQC-ready hardware security modules and cryptographic infrastructure. While more infrastructure-focused, it competes in the broader PQC enablement space and could be a future alternative for customers evaluating KiviCore's IP cores plus HSM-based solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kivicore

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 KiviCore GmbH