Akhetonics, the developer of the world’s first entirely optical digital processor, has raised €6 million in a funding round led by Matterwave Ventures, with additional support from 468 Capital, Bayern Kapital, and existing investors Runa Capital, Rheingau Founders, among others. The funding will be used to deliver the company’s first-generation hardware to pilot customers, addressing the growing demand for high-performance, energy-efficient computing solutions.
The company’s revolutionary technology shifts computing paradigms by utilizing photons instead of electrons for processing and storage. This approach enables exceptional processing speeds and significantly lowers energy consumption compared to traditional electronic processors. Key features such as low latency, deterministic execution, and resistance to electromagnetic interference make Akhetonics’ solutions highly desirable for sectors like aviation, defense, and networking.
A standout aspect of Akhetonics' business model is its fully European supply chain, spanning fabrication to packaging. By relying on mature semiconductor nodes readily available in Europe, the company minimizes dependence on advanced chip production facilities in Asia. This strategic move enhances Akhetonics’ role in bolstering European technological independence and sovereignty.
Based in Berlin and Munich, Akhetonics is advancing a full-stack solution that transcends the traditional von Neumann architecture, which has dominated chip design for over five decades. Their approach integrates photonic hardware, proprietary software tools, and in-house design automation. Following successful demonstrations of their technology’s feasibility, the company plans to deploy its first fully optical processor to early customers in the coming years.
“Many companies that claim to use ‘optical computing’ actually take a hybrid approach, incorporating electronics in their processing,” said Michael Kissner, CEO of Akhetonics. “In contrast, we are shipping a completely new, all-optical, general-purpose processor. This not only enables higher performance at lower power, but also offers real-time processing that is simply not possible with electronics or opto-electronic hybrids.”
