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AI semiconductor startup Agrani Labs, which is building AI GPUs and end-to-end software for enterprise and datacenter compute, has raised $8 Mn (INR 73.4 Cr) in a Seed funding round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from angel investors.
The startup, which was founded by AMD and Intel executives Dheemanth Nagaraj (CEO), Ashok Jagannathan (chief architect), Srikanth Nimmagadda (CTO) and Rajesh Vivekanandham (Chief Perf Architect) in December 2024, also announced that it is coming out of stealth now with the fresh capital.
The Bengaluru-based startup is working towards building indigenous capabilities for advanced semiconductor design and compute infrastructure for global data centres. Aiming for a full-stack solution, the startup is also building accompanying software comprising AI frameworks, compilers, libraries and system software, creating an edge against traditional chip makers that focus solely on the hardware.
It claims to have built early versions of its hardware and software stack, and also achieved significant progress in terms of product definition and architecture.
Vinod Dham, widely known as the ‘Father of the Pentium Chip’ for his contribution to the development of Intel’s Pentium micro-processor, has also joined Agrani Labs as a founding advisor. Dham also works closely with the government across multiple AI initiatives, including the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub Expert Council.
“For a team that has lived and breathed compute architecture for decades, building an AI computer grounds-up to help advance the potential of this technology is gratifying. We are leveraging India’s immense semiconductor and software talent to build a product that will compete on the global stage,” Nagaraj said.
As of 2025, India’s total GPU count had exceeded 38,000 under the IndiaAI Mission, and the demand for compute capabilities is only going to increase with the push for building an indigenous AI ecosystem and global companies eyeing the country to set up data centers.
However, dependency on global tech giants for compute and infrastructure when it comes to AI remains a roadblock toward building AI-grade chips domestically. VCs have also expressed caution when investing in India’s semiconductor industry, with startups in the space raising roughly $50 Mn in 2025, a 79% jump from $28 Mn in the previous year but nevertheless, a far cry when compared to other segments.
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