Singapore-based AI-driven semiconductor startup SixSense has completed its Series A funding round, raising $8.5 million and bringing its total funding to approximately $12 million. The round was led by Peak XV’s Surge fund (formerly Sequoia India & SEA), with participation from Alpha Intelligence Capital, FEBE, and other investors.
Founded in 2018 by engineers Akanksha Jagwani (CTO) and Avni Agarwal (CEO), SixSense has developed an AI platform that enables semiconductor manufacturers to detect and predict chip defects in real time during the production process. The company’s goal is to process large volumes of production data—including defect images and equipment signals—to prevent quality issues and improve yield.
The founders bring extensive experience in manufacturing automation and big data analytics. Akanksha has developed automation solutions for companies like Hyundai Motors and GE, while Avni has worked on large-scale data analytics projects at Visa.
SixSense highlights that quality inspections in the semiconductor industry remain largely manual, and current systems mostly display data without deeper analysis. Their platform allows process engineers to quickly optimize models using their own data without writing any code, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
SixSense’s platform is already in use by major semiconductor manufacturers such as GlobalFoundries and JCET. Users report production cycles accelerating by up to 30%, yield improvements of 1-2%, and a 90% reduction in manual inspection work. The platform is compatible with inspection equipment covering over 60% of the global market.
Currently, SixSense collaborates with fabs in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Israel, and plans to expand into the U.S. market. Geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China are driving manufacturing investments to new regions, further strengthening SixSense’s position in the area.
By offering AI-based automation and quality assurance solutions, SixSense is leading the digital transformation of the semiconductor industry.
