Palo Alto-based software startup Vinci said Tuesday it has raised $250 million at a $1.5 billion valuation to expand its suite of software used to simulate chip and other hardware designs. The 70-person company sells high-fidelity physics simulation software, starting with thermal simulation for chips — a critical problem as AI chips generate enormous amounts of heat.
Vinci plans to use the proceeds for computing costs and hiring, and to expand into vibration testing and electromagnetics. CEO Hardik Kabaria said customers are demanding "higher and higher fidelity physics simulation," and the company aims to scale from two pilot deployments to 20.
The round was led by Advent, Temasek and Xora Innovation, with Eclipse, Khosla Ventures and Madrona participating, Reuters reported. Vinci enters a market that includes AI-based simulation products from established chip-design software firms Cadence and Synopsys.
