Chipmind raises USD $2.5m to launch AI agents for chip design
Chipmind has launched from stealth with USD $2.5 million in pre-seed funding to introduce artificial intelligence agents aimed at expediting microchip development cycles.
The Zurich-based startup has unveiled Chipmind Agents, a suite of AI agents that automate and optimise tasks involved in chip design and verification. According to the company, these agents are tailored to each customer's proprietary data and workflow, functioning as collaborative partners to execute complex, multi-step assignments without compromising engineers' control over the process.
Productivity gains
Chipmind's technology is designed to reduce the time engineers spend on repetitive, low-level tasks by approximately 40 percent. The agents integrate with existing workflows, and adapt to the specific design context and proprietary Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools used in each organisation. This approach is intended to maintain compatibility with legacy systems rather than replace them, preparing current designs for future agent-based automation.
Harald Kröll, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Chipmind, described the requirements for AI in the semiconductor space:
"In the semiconductor industry, deep customization and data protection are fundamental, but true design awareness is what separates a generic tool from an intelligent partner. Each company's chip is a complex hierarchy with unique constraints, surrounded by a proprietary environment of tools and workflows. That is the reality we built for. Our 'design-aware' agents are engineered to holistically understand the entire chip context, not just the surrounding tools. We've found this deep awareness is the key that unlocks productivity, translating directly into significant time savings on the most complex tasks, all while integrating seamlessly into existing workflows."
Kröll and Sandro Belfanti, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, met during their PhD studies at ETH Zurich and have together developed more than 20 chips in areas including mobile modem chips and system-on-chip solutions.
Industry context
Rising demands for increasingly powerful chips have broadened the complexity of chip design, and traditional approaches are reaching their limitations. Companies face growing challenges in managing embedded EDA tool flows, many of which were not designed for interaction with modern AI solutions.
Belfanti commented on the impact of Chipmind Agents for engineers:
"Anyone who's spent time in chip development knows how much of the work is repetitive and time-consuming, demanding precision but not necessarily creativity. Throughout my career developing chips at top-tier semiconductor companies, I've often wished for a solution that could magically take care of those tedious tasks so I could focus on solving real engineering challenges. With Chipmind Agents, we're finally bringing that solution to life: AI agents that can autonomously handle the boring parts, letting engineers focus on what truly matters: innovation."
The integration of sophisticated AI tools into chip design comes as a new generation of engineers enters the workforce with an expectation to work alongside advanced digital agents. This trend is facilitating the emergence of a market for collaborative AI-driven design systems meant to handle greater complexity while enhancing creative output.
Funding and next steps
Chipmind's USD $2.5 million pre-seed round was led by Founderful, a Swiss pre-seed investment fund, with further contributions from unnamed angel investors experienced in the semiconductor sector. The investment will allow the company to hire engineering talent, quicken product development, and strengthen partnerships in the industry.
Edouard Treccani, Principal at Founderful, commented on the decision to invest:
"In a world buzzing with AI every day, Chipmind stands out as a refreshingly real solution to a problem Harald and Sandro have spent 20 years deep in. From day one, they've built in close dialogue with the market, and the early feedback has been remarkably positive. Founderful is thrilled to be part of their journey!"
The company aims to work closely with semiconductor companies to integrate its agents with existing systems, supporting both the transition to agentic automation and ongoing industry requirements for data security and design customisation.
