Deeptech Innovation in Power Management
Bengaluru-based semiconductor startup C2i Semiconductors has successfully extended its Series A funding round to $16.7 million. This capital infusion follows a robust start to the year, with the company securing an initial $15 million tranche led by Peak XV Partners in February 2026.
Tech Stack and Market Differentiation
C2i is tackling the critical bottleneck of power management in AI data centers. By rethinking how electricity moves from the grid to the processor core, the company aims to resolve the massive energy demands of modern compute infrastructure. Their proprietary technology platform includes:
- Manas Controller: A software-defined controller agnostic to power distribution network changes.
- Sarayu Power Stage: A modular architecture supporting flexible phase operations and high-current applications.
The company recently achieved a major milestone with the tape-out of its smart power stage chip, developed entirely by its in-house engineering team in India.
Efficiency at Scale
As AI infrastructure capital expenditure is projected to hit $1 trillion by 2030, power efficiency has become a multi-billion dollar opportunity. C2i’s platform promises 96% power conversion efficiency—an improvement over the 94% industry standard—which could translate to $12 million in annual energy savings for a 100 MW data center, while simultaneously running processors 4°C cooler.
Founder Takeaway
The success of C2i highlights the increasing appetite for ‘full-stack’ semiconductor innovation. By integrating software-defined control with modular power hardware, founders can create high-moat defensibility in mature hardware markets.