Axelera AI secures over $250M to accelerate global expansion
Major investment highlights Porto’s growing relevance in AI and deep tech innovation
Axelera AI, based at UPTEC, Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, has raised more than $250 million in a new funding round, bringing its total capital raised since 2021 to over $450 million.
The company develops advanced AI acceleration semiconductors designed for computing and data centres, enabling data processing with improved energy efficiency. Its architecture allows data to be processed locally, reducing reliance on centralised cloud infrastructure while improving privacy and operational efficiency.
Already deployed across more than 500 clients in sectors such as telecommunications, aerospace and enterprise technology, Axelera AI addresses one of the key challenges in scaling artificial intelligence: energy consumption and cooling constraints.
The new investment will support the company’s commercial growth, including scaling production, advancing product development and expanding its team, particularly in customer support functions.
Led by Innovation Industries, the round also included participation from global investors such as BlackRock and Samsung Catalyst Fund, alongside existing backers.
