Akhetonics: Photonic Chips Redefine Computing
Akhetonics' mission is to create an all-optical general purpose processor. - © Akhetonics
In a bold move challenging the current semiconductor landscape, Berlin startup Akhetonics is set to disrupt high-performance computing with its innovative all-optical digital processor. According to a recent TechCrunch article, the company has secured €6 million in seed funding to develop a groundbreaking chip that processes information using photons instead of electrons.
Akhetonics, whose name combines an Egyptian hieroglyph for "horizon" with photonics, is aiming to build a general-purpose chip that could revolutionize computing across multiple sectors. The company plans to deliver its first commercial product to customers by mid-next year, targeting environments requiring high-performance real-time computing such as networking, avionics, and space technologies.
What sets Akhetonics apart is its unique approach to chip design. By reimagining computational architecture, the startup believes it can create powerful processors without the massive number of optical transistors traditionally thought necessary. Co-founder and CEO Michael Kissner emphasizes that their innovative design significantly reduces development costs.
Two key differentiators for Akhetonics are its cheaper production costs and fully European supply chain. This local approach not only strengthens technological sovereignty but also addresses geopolitical challenges in semiconductor manufacturing. The company's investors, including Matterwave Ventures and 468 Capital, see this as a promising strategy for democratizing high-performance computing.
While skeptics remain, Akhetonics is confident in its technology's potential to deliver unprecedented processing speed and energy efficiency. As the AI industry continues to grow, their photon-based approach might just be the horizon of computing's next chapter.
