Sixsense Raises $8.5M to Revolutionize AI with Novel Semiconductor Technology

SixSense Secures $8.5 Million to Revolutionize Semiconductor Defect Detection

A deep tech startup, SixSense, headquartered in Singapore, has created an AI-powered platform designed to predict and identify potential defects in chips during semiconductor production in real time.

The company recently completed a Series A funding round, raising $8.5 million and bringing its total funding to approximately $12 million. Peak XV’s Surge led the investment, with contributions from Alpha Intelligence Capital, FEBE, and other investors.

Addressing a Critical Need in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Founded in 2018 by Akanksha Jagwani (CEO) and Avni Agrawal (CTO), SixSense focuses on a key challenge within semiconductor manufacturing. The platform transforms raw production data – encompassing defect images and equipment signals – into actionable, real-time insights.

Despite the vast quantities of data generated on fabrication floors, the founders observed a significant absence of immediate, intelligent analysis.

Jagwani’s background includes extensive experience in manufacturing, quality control, and software automation. She previously developed automation solutions for companies like Hyundai Motors and GE, and held a product development role at Embibe.

Agrawal contributes deep technical expertise gained at Visa, where she constructed large-scale data analytics systems, some of which were later designated as proprietary trade secrets. Her skills as a coder, coupled with a strong mathematical foundation, fueled her interest in applying AI to traditional industries.

From Aviation to Semiconductors

The founders initially explored various sectors, including aviation and automotive, before focusing on semiconductors. Agarwal explained to TechCrunch that despite the industry’s reputation for precision, inspection processes are often manual and fragmented.

Conversations with over 50 engineers revealed a substantial opportunity to modernize quality control procedures.

Current fabrication facilities are equipped with dashboards, SPC charts, and inline inspection systems, but these primarily present data without in-depth analysis. Agarwal noted that engineers are still responsible for identifying patterns, investigating anomalies, and determining root causes – a process that is time-consuming, subjective, and difficult to scale.

SixSense’s Capabilities

SixSense provides engineers with proactive alerts to address potential issues before they escalate. Key features include defect detection, root cause analysis, and failure prediction.

The platform is specifically designed for use by process engineers, not data scientists. Agarwal stated that engineers can refine models using their own data, deploy them within two days, and trust the results without needing to write any code.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive field includes internal engineering teams utilizing tools like Cognex and Halcon, inspection equipment manufacturers integrating AI, and other startups such as Landing.ai and Robovision.

SixSense’s AI platform is currently deployed at major semiconductor manufacturers, including GlobalFoundries and JCET. To date, the system has processed over 100 million chips.

Customers have reported improvements such as up to 30% faster production cycles, a 1-2% increase in yield, and a 90% reduction in manual inspection efforts. The system is compatible with inspection equipment covering over 60% of the global market.

Expanding Global Reach

“Our primary customers are large-scale chipmakers – including foundries, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers (OSATs), and integrated device manufacturers (IDMs),” Agarwal clarified. “We are currently working with fabs in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Israel, and are now expanding our operations into the U.S.”

Current geopolitical dynamics, particularly the relationship between the U.S. and China, are influencing the location of chip manufacturing, leading to new investments worldwide.

Agarwal explained to TechCrunch that the expansion of fabs and OSATs in regions like Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, India, and the U.S. presents a significant opportunity for SixSense. The company’s existing presence in the region and the adoption of fresh, AI-native approaches by new facilities create a favorable environment for growth.