While Nvidia dominates the AI chip landscape, a wave of ambitious startups is working on next-gen processors to challenge its grip—especially in data centers and at the edge. These startups are exploring a wide range of technologies, spanning advanced optical systems and purpose-built edge AI chips, to drive the next era of AI computing.
Celestial AI
Based in Santa Clara, Celestial AI is reinventing how data moves inside AI systems with its Photonic Fabric, an optical interconnect that promises to crush bandwidth and latency limits. The company raised $175 million in a hotly pursued Series C round with backing from AMD, Samsung, and Porsche SE. Already seeing interest from major hyperscalers, Celestial AI bolstered its edge by acquiring key IP from Rockley Photonics, making it a major force in silicon photonics for AI infrastructure.
