SixSense AI Startup Secures $8.5M in Female-Led Funding
▼ Summary
– SixSense, a Singapore-based startup, developed an AI platform for semiconductor manufacturers to predict and detect chip defects in real time, improving production quality and yield.
– The company raised $8.5 million in Series A funding, totaling $12 million, led by Peak XV’s Surge with participation from Alpha Intelligence Capital and others.
– Founded in 2018 by engineers Akanksha Jagwani and Avni Agarwal, SixSense addresses the lack of real-time intelligence in semiconductor manufacturing by converting raw data into actionable insights.
– SixSense’s platform is designed for process engineers, enabling them to deploy AI models without coding, and has been adopted by major manufacturers like GlobalFoundries, improving yield and reducing manual inspections.
– Geopolitical tensions are driving semiconductor manufacturing expansion in regions like Malaysia and the U.S., creating opportunities for SixSense’s AI-native solutions in new facilities.
Singapore-based AI startup SixSense has secured $8.5 million in Series A funding to expand its real-time defect detection platform for semiconductor manufacturers. The round was led by Peak XV’s Surge, with participation from Alpha Intelligence Capital and FEBE, bringing the company’s total funding to $12 million.
Founded in 2018 by engineers Akanksha Jagwani (CTO) and Avni Agarwal (CEO), SixSense tackles a critical pain point in chip production: transforming vast amounts of raw manufacturing data into actionable insights. The platform helps factories identify defects early, improve yield, and reduce costly downtime, all in real time.
What makes SixSense unique is its focus on process engineers rather than data scientists. The AI-powered system allows engineers to deploy and fine-tune models without coding, making it accessible and practical for semiconductor fabs. “Engineers can trust the results and act on them immediately,” Agarwal explained.
The founders bring deep expertise to the table. Jagwani previously developed automation solutions for Hyundai Motors and GE, while Agarwal built large-scale data analytics systems at Visa. After evaluating multiple industries, they zeroed in on semiconductors, where manual inspections and fragmented processes create inefficiencies.
SixSense is already making waves with major manufacturers like GlobalFoundries and JCET, processing over 100 million chips to date. Customers report 30% faster production cycles, a 1-2% yield boost, and a 90% reduction in manual inspections. The platform works with equipment covering 60% of the global semiconductor market, giving it a strong competitive edge.
The company is capitalizing on geopolitical shifts in chip manufacturing, as fabs expand in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, India, and the U.S. “New facilities are more open to AI-native solutions from the start,” Agarwal noted. With fresh funding, SixSense plans to grow its presence in these emerging hubs while scaling operations in the U.S.
Competitors include in-house engineering teams using traditional tools and startups like Landing.ai, but SixSense’s no-code approach and real-time analytics set it apart. As semiconductor demand surges, the startup is well-positioned to help manufacturers optimize production and minimize defects, a game-changer in an industry where precision is everything.
Image Credits: SixSense
(Source: TechCrunch)
