Samsung Catalyst Fund, established in 2013, is the corporate venture capital arm of Samsung Electronics based in San Jose, California. The firm focuses on investing in the evolving data economy and strategically aligned innovations for Samsung's mobile, device solutions, and consumer electronics divisions. Its investment areas include Automotive, Robotics, Digital Health, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Infrastructure, and Device-Level Solutions. By leveraging Samsung's global brand, manufacturing capabilities, and extensive distribution network, the fund supports entrepreneurs with domain expertise and access to a robust recruiting network, as well as guidance from experienced Innovation Fellows.
Vice President and Managing Director, Head of the Fund
Gil Rotenberg
Investment Principal
Amit Shofar
Investment Director
Past deals in Hardware
Axiado
Series C in 2024
Axiado Corporation specializes in cybersecurity processors aimed at enhancing the security of digital infrastructure by addressing fundamental vulnerabilities. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Jose, California, the company has developed a trusted control/compute unit (TCU) that integrates hardware-based security technologies, including advanced authentication and encryption mechanisms. Axiado's Zero-Trust Secure Vault™ boot and authentication core, along with its Secure AI™ engines, provide robust protection against internal and external digital threats, safeguarding enterprises, organizations, and governments. The company's solutions are designed to secure a variety of environments, including cloud infrastructures, 5G base stations, networks, and IoT devices, ensuring stability and security in the management of heterogeneous infrastructures.
Enfabrica
Series C in 2024
Enfabrica is a technology company focused on developing innovative hardware and software solutions aimed at addressing the performance and scalability challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerated computing workloads. The company specializes in converged networking and memory fabric silicon, which are designed to enhance system efficiencies and performance across various infrastructures, including hyper-scale cloud, edge computing, enterprise systems, and automotive applications. By incorporating advanced technologies such as compute express link, Enfabrica enables businesses to optimize resources and manage multiple graphics processing units effectively. Its products and foundational fabric technologies are geared towards meeting the increasing demands of modern computing environments, particularly in the realm of AI and machine learning.
Groq
Series D in 2024
Groq, Inc. is a technology company specializing in the development of high-performance computing solutions for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning applications. Based in Mountain View, California, Groq manufactures accelerators and chips featuring its proprietary Tensor Streaming Processor architecture, which delivers up to 250 trillion floating-point operations per second. The company's technology is designed to manage complex computations efficiently, focusing on high performance while minimizing power consumption, making it suitable for large-scale AI deployments. Groq's deterministic single-core streaming architecture allows for predictable performance and compute times, enabling organizations to enhance their workloads in AI and quality-performance computing. Founded in 2016, Groq aims to streamline the qualification and deployment of scalable, high-efficiency systems for its customers.
DreamBig Semiconductor
Series B in 2024
DreamBig Semiconductor is focused on developing an innovative chiplet platform designed to offer affordable, scalable, and modular semiconductor solutions tailored for the needs of the AI era and beyond. The company is recognized for its advanced Chiplet Hub, which supports the integration and scaling of processor, accelerator, and networking chiplets. Its product offerings blend hardware with programmable accelerations, facilitating high-performance network solutions for data centers, cloud services, and edge computing. DreamBig's solutions are particularly relevant in sectors such as Large Language Models, Generative AI, and automotive applications, helping clients enhance productivity while reducing overall costs.
Axelera AI
Series B in 2024
Axelera AI focuses on providing specialized hardware and software platforms to enhance artificial intelligence tasks, particularly in edge computing. Its primary product, the Metis™ AI Platform, combines hardware and software to offer high-performance, energy-efficient AI inference solutions. The platform's innovative design has earned recognition as a CES® 2024 Innovation Awards Honoree. Established in 2021 after incubation by Bitfury and collaboration with imec, Axelera AI is headquartered in the AI Innovation Center at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, with research and development offices in Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy. The company's team comprises experts in AI from leading firms and Fortune 500 companies, focusing on delivering sustainable edge applications through a custom dataflow architecture and multicore in-memory computing that minimizes power consumption.
Celestial AI
Series C in 2024
Celestial AI is a prominent artificial intelligence company that provides an advanced platform for users to efficiently create images, text, and presentations. Utilizing computer vision algorithms and natural language processing, the platform produces high-quality visual and textual content. Its intuitive design and innovative features simplify the creation process, while intelligent data integration and a commitment to security ensure reliable results.
Eliyan
Series B in 2024
Eliyan specializes in developing advanced semiconductor solutions, particularly focusing on chiplet interconnect technology designed to enhance AI performance. The company comprises a team of experienced PHY designers and chip architects who have successfully created multiple generations of semiconductor products. Eliyan's innovative technology addresses the critical challenge of the memory wall, significantly improving performance for high-performance computing applications, ranging from desktops to data centers. By utilizing standard organic chip packaging, Eliyan's Interconnect technology achieves performance levels comparable to more complex packaging solutions, enabling the realization of advanced chiplet systems at a reduced total cost of ownership. This approach allows for increased core counts, improved computing performance, and better test coverage without the complications associated with sophisticated packaging methods.
Celestial AI
Series B in 2023
Celestial AI is a prominent artificial intelligence company that provides an advanced platform for users to efficiently create images, text, and presentations. Utilizing computer vision algorithms and natural language processing, the platform produces high-quality visual and textual content. Its intuitive design and innovative features simplify the creation process, while intelligent data integration and a commitment to security ensure reliable results.
Avicena
Series A in 2022
Avicena Tech specializes in manufacturing advanced optical chip interconnects, operating at ultra-low power and ultra-high speeds (petabit per second). Their innovative technology, based on silicon photonics and other high-volume commercial technologies, enables ultra-dense, low-latency, and low-cost connections between chips. This significantly enhances system performance and efficiency, addressing critical inter-chip communication needs, particularly in applications constrained by traditional electrical interconnects.
Graphcore
Series E in 2020
Graphcore Limited is a hardware systems company that specializes in developing intelligent processing units (IPUs) tailored for artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, the company offers products such as IPU-Accelerator cards, which enhance server performance for machine learning tasks, and IPU-Appliance systems that improve inference capabilities for various users. Graphcore's innovative IPU architecture allows developers to run existing machine learning models significantly faster, facilitating the deployment of advanced AI solutions across diverse servers and software environments. In addition to its Bristol headquarters, Graphcore has locations in Palo Alto, London, Oslo, and Beijing, expanding its global presence in the AI technology sector.
iniVation
Seed Round in 2019
iniVation specializes in developing neuromorphic vision systems that mimic the functioning of the human retina. These systems provide significant advantages over traditional camera technologies, including ultra-low response latency, efficient data rates, high dynamic range, and reduced power consumption. The company's innovative technology enhances performance in various applications, enabling clients to achieve superior results in image processing. iniVation's solutions are utilized by over 500 customers across a diverse range of markets, demonstrating their effectiveness and versatility in addressing complex visual challenges.
Blaize
Series C in 2018
Blaize, Inc., founded in 2010 and headquartered in El Dorado Hills, California, specializes in edge AI processing solutions through its proprietary hardware architecture and low-code/no-code software platform. The company targets various industries, including automotive, retail, security, industrial automation, and healthcare, providing efficient solutions that address the challenges of edge AI processing, such as low latency and high thermal and power efficiency. Blaize's innovative approach overcomes limitations of traditional AI solutions, which are often optimized for data centers rather than edge environments. With a workforce of over 200 employees, the company has established teams in California, North Carolina, and international subsidiaries in India and the UK. Blaize has successfully raised over $200 million from a mix of strategic and financial investors, reinforcing its position as a leader in the AI-enabled edge computing market.
Mantis Vision
Series D in 2018
Mantis Vision Ltd. is a technology company specializing in 3D content creation tools and solutions. Founded in 2005 and based in Petach Tikva, Israel, the company focuses on developing advanced 3D capturing technologies, including its handheld MVC-F5 camera, which is designed for field use. Mantis Vision's proprietary MV4D technology enables the accurate capture of 3D data in dynamic scenes, facilitating user-generated content creation across various applications. The company's products serve a diverse range of markets, including security, architecture, engineering, construction, research, and consumer electronics. Mantis Vision also maintains strategic partnerships, such as with Digital Nation Entertainment, to enhance its offerings. By providing innovative software and hardware solutions, Mantis Vision aims to integrate 3D technology into mobile devices and business environments, allowing for the creation of dynamic volumetric content for virtual reality and robotic vision applications.
AImotive
Series C in 2018
AImotive is focused on developing automated driving technology aimed at providing safe and comfortable rides in various environments. The company creates self-driving software and proprietary simulation tools, alongside neural network acceleration hardware, to support the deployment of automated driving systems. AImotive's products are designed to be scalable, modular, and hardware agnostic, fostering collaboration within the industry. The team's expertise in artificial intelligence, sensor fusion, and 3D graphics enhances their ability to assist partners in achieving their self-driving objectives.
Graphcore
Series C in 2017
Graphcore Limited is a hardware systems company that specializes in developing intelligent processing units (IPUs) tailored for artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, the company offers products such as IPU-Accelerator cards, which enhance server performance for machine learning tasks, and IPU-Appliance systems that improve inference capabilities for various users. Graphcore's innovative IPU architecture allows developers to run existing machine learning models significantly faster, facilitating the deployment of advanced AI solutions across diverse servers and software environments. In addition to its Bristol headquarters, Graphcore has locations in Palo Alto, London, Oslo, and Beijing, expanding its global presence in the AI technology sector.
Keyssa
Series C in 2017
Keyssa, Inc., established in 2009 and headquartered in Campbell, California, specializes in developing and manufacturing contactless connectors and wireless semiconductors. Utilizing millimeter-wave technology, the company's flagship product, Kiss Connectivity, enables secure, instantaneous, and high-speed data transfer between devices in close proximity. This tiny, solid-state system eliminates the need for traditional metal connectors, cables, and wireless networks, offering a protocol-agnostic, EHF transmission solution. Keyssa's products cater to a wide range of applications, including mobile phones, displays, automotive, robotic surgery, factory automation, and data centers. The company's offerings, such as the KSS104U, streamline production line testing, significantly reducing overall test time. Keyssa operates additional offices in Tigard, Oregon; Shenzhen, China; Seoul, South Korea; and Taipei, Taiwan.
Fungible
Series B in 2017
Fungible, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing hardware and software solutions for cloud data centers. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with an additional office in Bengaluru, India, Fungible aims to enhance data movement through innovative technology. The company's core offering includes a low latency, high throughput, and highly programmable chip designed to optimize data flow in data centers. Additionally, Fungible provides full-stack infrastructure software that leverages standard components, protocols, and interfaces, focusing on improving the economics, security, and reliability of cloud data centers to meet evolving infrastructure demands. The founders of Fungible bring substantial experience from the networking, silicon, and software sectors, positioning the company to make a significant impact in the data center industry.
Autotalks
Series D in 2017
Autotalks, Ltd. is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technologies for both manned and autonomous vehicles. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Kfar Netter, Israel, the company develops automotive-grade chipsets, including the CRATON vehicular communication processor and the PLUTON V2X RF transceiver. Autotalks also offers the PANGAEA4 V2X communication module, which enhances vehicle safety and mobility through secure data exchange. The company works closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers globally, enabling vehicles to communicate with one another and with roadside infrastructure. Autotalks is notable for providing a comprehensive V2X solution compatible with various technologies while meeting rigorous automotive safety and security standards. With a presence in multiple countries, including North America, Germany, France, Japan, Korea, and China, Autotalks is poised to play a significant role in advancing connectivity and autonomous driving initiatives worldwide.
Afero
Series A in 2016
Afero, Inc. offers an Internet of Things Platform-as-a-Service solution aimed at facilitating the development and deployment of connected devices across various industries. Founded in 2014 and based in Los Altos, California, Afero's platform features a secure Bluetooth Smart module, cloud services, mobile applications, and a variety of development tools. This comprehensive architecture allows companies and developers to efficiently prototype and build connected devices, which can be integrated into consumer electronics, appliances, industrial equipment, wearables, medical devices, and more. Afero's technology not only accelerates time-to-market for new products but also simplifies ongoing operations, enabling businesses to gather analytics and manage IoT devices securely and at scale.
Leman Micro Devices
Venture Round in 2014
Leman Micro Devices SA, founded in 2013 and based in Lausanne, Switzerland, specializes in innovative health monitoring technology for smartphones. The company has developed the V-Sensor, a pioneering miniature device that accurately measures five vital signs: blood pressure, blood oxygen (SpO2), respiration rate, pulse rate, and body temperature. This device operates without cuffs or the need for calibration, delivering results on-screen in under one minute through LMD’s e-Checkup app. Launched at CES 2021, the V-Sensor is designed to provide users with a convenient way to monitor their health using smartphones and wearable technology.
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