Athira Sethu
Kochi, 1 April 2025
A chip startup called Retym has brought in $75 million this year, which will take its funding to $180 million. Retym is one of the many companies focused on developing networking chips for artificial intelligence computing in data centers. Those chips perform DSP, which can help move lots of information around quickly between data centers a need that has been growing with AI.
AI models, like the ones behind ChatGPT, require thousands of chips connected with networking equipment to function. Retym aims to improve this process by designing chips that can solve the connectivity challenges faced by data centers, especially as more chips are needed for AI tasks. Currently, Marvell Technology dominates the market for DSP chips, but Retym is working on a solution to make this process more efficient.
Retym’s chips are designed to handle data over distances of 10 to 120 kilometers, with an optimization for distances between 30 and 40 kilometers. The chips use a special modulation technique to make sure the data remains intact as it is transported. According to Retym’s CEO, Sachin Gandhi, the company is focused on building DSP chips for the next generation of AI infrastructure and cloud computing.
Retym’s first chip is being made using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s advanced five-nanometer process. The company is currently testing and validating the chip samples. The Series D funding round was led by Spark Capital. Retym, which was founded four years ago, plans to launch its first product later this year.
This new funding and chip development could have a major role in supporting the increasing demand for AI technology because of the increasing growth of data centers, which will require faster, more reliable means of moving large amounts of data.
