Jul 09, 2025 | Posted by Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji
French chip designer SiPearl has closed a €130 million ($152m) Series A financing round, having raised €32m ($38m) in a third and final tranche which saw participation from existing investors, European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund and the French State, via French Tech Souveraineté, and new investor Cathay Venture.
SiPearl completed the tape out Rhea1 “several weeks ago,” and it has now been handed over to TSMC to start the manufacturing process. The processor will be available for sampling in early 2026, the company said.
“Sovereign hardware is mandatory to ensure Europe’s independence and sovereignty in AI and strategic fields such as security and defence,” said Philippe Notton, CEO and founder of SiPearl. “With the tape-out of the most complex processor ever designed in Europe, we are showing that Europe now has a competitor capable of challenging non-European leaders.”
He added: “Because Europe needs strong and independent partners in the global semiconductor ecosystem, we have chosen to forge closer ties with Taiwan, a country at the forefront of this industry worldwide. We would like to thank the investors who have placed their trust in us and who support us in this endeavor.”
