SiPearl
Overview
SiPearl is a European semiconductor company specializing in the development of high-performance, energy-efficient microprocessors specifically designed for supercomputers and AI applications. Founded in 2019 under the European Processor Initiative, SiPearl aims to bolster Europe's technological sovereignty. The company is based in Maisons-Laffitte, France, and was founded by Philippe Notton. As of July 2025, SiPearl has raised a substantial €130 million in Series A funding, with backing from investors such as Taiwan's Cathay Venture and the European Innovation Council Fund.
Recent Developments
- July 2025: SiPearl successfully closed a €130 million Series A funding round. The funding will be utilized for the ongoing development of its Rhea1 processor, aiming to support Europe's move toward technological sovereignty in AI and supercomputing. This marks the largest Series A round in the European fabless semiconductor industry. The funding was supplemented by new and existing investors, including Cathay Venture from Taiwan, highlighting international confidence in SiPearl's capabilities.
- April 2025: The Rhea1 processor was taped out and handed to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for production. This milestone signifies the completion of the design phase and the commencement of manufacturing.
- January 2025: SiPearl announced a strategic collaboration with AMD for GPU support in their ARM HPC chips, aiming to strengthen their product capabilities and market reach in the high-performance computing ecosystem.
- February 2025: The company continued to strengthen its business ties with Taiwan, leveraging TSMC's leading semiconductor manufacturing capabilities to ensure the production quality and efficiency of its Rhea1 processor.
- July 2025: SiPearl's Rhea1 is set to power the CPU cluster of JUPITER, the first European exascale supercomputer to be based in Germany, reinforcing its pivotal role in European supercomputing initiatives.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Maisons-Laffitte, France |
| Founders | Philippe Notton |
| Revenue | Not publicly disclosed |
| Profits | Not publicly disclosed |
| Key Investors | Cathay Venture, European Innovation Council Fund |
| Industry | Semiconductor, AI, Supercomputing |
| Number of Employees | Approximately 200 |
Early History
SiPearl was founded in 2019 as a cornerstone of the European Processor Initiative (EPI), which was established to develop indigenous high-performance computing technologies within Europe. The company's early focus was on designing energy-efficient microprocessors capable of powering exascale supercomputers and supporting AI inference tasks. Seed funding from the European Union facilitated its initial endeavors, allowing SiPearl to assemble a team of experts across France, Spain, and Italy. Initial projects included collaborations with leading technology partners, as well as the establishment of its first processor design, Rhea1, using Arm Neoverse technologies.
Company Profile and Achievements
SiPearl's business model revolves around the design and development of high-performance, energy-efficient processors for use in supercomputing and AI applications. The company's first flagship product, Rhea1, incorporates 80 Arm Neoverse V1 cores with high scalability for AI and HPC tasks. Key achievements include:
- Collaboration with TSMC: Entrusting the manufacturing of their processors to TSMC ensures advanced semiconductor fabrication.
- Partnership with Major Technology Firms: Establishing alliances with AMD and others for comprehensive product capabilities.
- Technological Innovation: The Rhea1 processor, with its 61 billion transistors, represents a significant step toward European technological independence.
- Strategic European Projects: Playing a crucial role in projects like JUPITER, emphasizing SiPearl's importance in EuroHPC.
Current Operations and Market Position
Currently, SiPearl operates within the competitive landscape of semiconductors focusing on AI and HPC markets. Its Rhea1 processor is a substantial component of European strategic initiatives like the JUPITER supercomputer project. SiPearl's strategic partnerships, especially with TSMC, position it as a significant player upholding European technological sovereignty. Their focus on energy efficiency and performance ensures they address critical market demands.
Conclusion
SiPearl stands at the forefront of Europe's push for technological sovereignty in high-performance computing and AI. With substantial funding and strategic collaborations, the company is well-positioned to influence the future of European semiconductor capabilities. As SiPearl gears up for a Series B funding round, its impact on global HPC trends and its contribution to Europe's technological advancements remain significant.