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Cognichip

Redwood City, US · Founded 2024 · 93 employees on LinkedIn · 10 known investors

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Cognichip develops Artificial Chip Intelligence (ACI), an AI system designed to accelerate semiconductor design by reducing design effort and time-to-market for chip manufacturers. The platform aims to address the hardware development bottleneck by automating chip design workflows and making the process more accessible to the semiconductor industry.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDeveloper ToolsSemiconductors

Founders & leadership

Cognichip was founded in 2024 by Faraj Aalaei and Ehsan Kamalinejad.

FAFaraj Aalaei
Faraj AalaeiFounder & Chief Executive OfficerHe previously co-founded and led Centillium and Aquantia as CEO, both taken through IPO, and served as Executive VP of networking and automotive businesses at Marvell Semiconductors after it acquired Aquantia; earlier in his career he worked at AT&T Bell Laboratories, and he holds a BSEE from Wentworth Institute of Technology, an MSEE from the University of Massachusetts, and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire.
EKEhsan Kamalinejad
Ehsan KamalinejadCo-Founder & CTOFounder at Visual One
SS
Simon SabatoFounder

Investors · 10

FPVlisted by FPVJackson · $100K – $5M

How we know: FPV's portfolio page · a partner's Signal profile · funding news · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us

Global Catalyst Partners Japanlisted by Global Catalyst Partners JapanTokyo

How we know: Global Catalyst Partners Japan's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us

Lux Capitallisted by Lux CapitalNew York · $100K – $100M

How we know: Lux Capital's portfolio page · a partner's Signal profile · funding news · Not right? Tell us

Mayfield Fundlisted by Mayfield FundMenlo Park · $500K – $12M

How we know: Mayfield Fund's portfolio page · the VCSheet dataset · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us

NewBuild.VClisted by NewBuild.VCPalo Alto

How we know: NewBuild.VC's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us

VSC Ventureslisted by VSC VenturesSan Francisco · $500K – $750K

How we know: VSC Ventures's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us

Celesta CapitalreportedSan Mateo · $5M – $10M

How we know: a partner's Signal profile · Not right? Tell us

SBI InvestmentreportedTokyo

How we know: funding news · Not right? Tell us

Thomvest VenturesreportedSan Francisco · $2M – $5M

How we know: a partner's Signal profile · Not right? Tell us

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements

$120M disclosed across 2 of 4 rounds · 2025–2026

Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.

Founder mafia

2 people who came through Cognichip went on to found or lead other companies.

Faraj AalaeiFounderFounded AquantiaEhsan KamalinejadFounderFounded Visual One

Related companies · 4

ChipAgentsChip Agents develops autonomous AI systems for chip design, automating ASIC design flows and semiconductor engineering processes. The company serves semiconductor companies and chip design teams seeking to accelerate chip development and verification workflows.
CognigyCognigy, part of NiCE Systems, provides conversational and generative AI solutions for customer service, including AI agents, intelligent IVR, and agent assistance capabilities that integrate with enterprise systems. The platform serves businesses seeking to deliver personalized customer support across multiple channels and languages.
FreethinkThe Solutions Project supports and funds a network of community-based organizations working on climate justice in disinvested communities, backing efforts in renewable energy, clean water, regenerative agriculture, and policy advocacy. It focuses on amplifying frontline voices most affected by climate change and environmental inequality.
CognixionCognixion develops non-invasive brain-computer interfaces and adaptive assistive technology that provide communication and control for people with complex disabilities. Its multimodal systems combine intent, context, and accessible spatial computing across interfaces such as the Apple Vision Pro.

Companies working in the same space as Cognichip.

In the news

Cognichip Raises $60M in Series A Fundingfinsmes.com · Apr 2026Cognichip wants AI to design the chips that power AI, and just raised $60M to try | TechCrunchtechcrunch.com · Apr 2026

Frequently asked questions

What does Cognichip do?
Cognichip develops Artificial Chip Intelligence (ACI), an AI system designed to accelerate semiconductor design by reducing design effort and time-to-market for chip manufacturers. The platform aims to address the hardware development bottleneck by automating chip design workflows and making the process more accessible to the semiconductor industry.
Who founded Cognichip?
Cognichip was founded by Faraj Aalaei, Ehsan Kamalinejad in 2024.
Who are Cognichip's investors?
Cognichip's investors include Candou Ventures, FPV, Global Catalyst Partners Japan, Lux Capital, Mayfield Fund, NewBuild.VC, VSC Ventures, Celesta Capital and 2 more.
How much funding has Cognichip raised?
Cognichip has disclosed $120M raised across 2 of its 4 known rounds.
Where is Cognichip headquartered?
Cognichip is headquartered in Redwood City, US.