Chip startups raised $8.5B in Q3 2026

Eighty semiconductor startups raised over $8.5 billion in Q3 2026, driven by AI inference, memory alternatives to HBM, and interconnect technologies. Two inference companies each raised $1 billion, while 22 startups secured $100 million or more.

• 80 startups raised over $8.5B in Q3 2026
• 22 companies raised $100M+, eight within about a year
• Xsight Labs raised over $300M for DPUs and Ethernet switches
• Celero Communications raised $275M for coherent DSPs for AI optics