US-based advanced computer processor developer Syntiant has secured $25m in a series B round led by M12, the corporate venturing fund owned by software and electronics provider Microsoft.
E-commerce firm Amazon, semiconductor technology manufacturer Applied Materials, chipmaker Intel, communications technology producer Motorola Solutions and industrial product and appliance maker Robert Bosch also participated in the round.
The corporates invested through respective subsidiaries Amazon Alexa Fund, Applied Ventures, Intel Capital, Motorola Solutions Venture Capital and Robert Bosch Venture Capital, and were joined by Seraph Group and Sunstone Venture Capital Fund.
Founded in 2017, Syntiant is developing computer processors designed for advanced computing tasks such as artificial intelligence and deep learning.
The company’s processing architecture natively supports analogue deep neural networks that require less energy, facilitating deep computing in compact devices such as hearing aids or smart speakers.
Syntiant recently demonstrated a prototype of the technology that it believes could power ‘always-on’ speech-controlled user interfaces. M12 managing director Samir Kumar will join its board of directors along with Bret Johnsen, chief financial officer of space exploration company SpaceX, as an independent director.
Intel Capital had led a series A round of undisclosed size for Syntiant in May 2018, investing with Seraph Group, Danhua Capital and Embark Ventures. The company had raised $5.1m from unnamed backers in October 2017, according to a regulatory filing.
This article was updated on November 5, 2018 to reflect the participation of Seraph and Sunstone.