AI chipmaker Hailo has successfully extended its series C fundraising round with an additional investment of USD 120 million. This extension brings the total amount raised by Hailo to over USD 340 million.
The funding round was led by both existing and new investors, including prominent names such as the Zisapel family, Gil Agmon, Delek Motors and Alfred Akirov.
Accompanying this financing news is the introduction of Hailo's latest innovation, the Hailo-10 high-performance generative AI (GenAI) accelerators. These accelerators mark a pivotal moment in the realm of edge computing by allowing users to own and operate GenAI applications directly on their devices, without relying on cloud-based services. This breakthrough can potentially enhance flexibility and immediacy and also address concerns related to network connectivity, latency, privacy and sustainability.
The Hailo-10 GenAI accelerator is designed to offer superior performance-to-cost and performance-to-power consumption ratios compared to previous iterations. Leveraging a comprehensive software suite, it enables seamless integration of AI capabilities across various edge devices and platforms. With GenAI now accessible at the edge, users can enjoy continuous access to services such as real-time translation, summarisation, software code generation and image/video creation from text prompts.
One of the standout features of the Hailo-10 accelerator is its capability to handle large language models (LLMs) within power envelopes of less than five watts. It boasts impressive performance metrics, capable of achieving up to 40 tera operations per second (TOPS). Moreover, benchmarks indicate that Hailo-10 outperforms integrated neural processing unit (NPU) solutions, delivering faster speeds and greater energy efficiency.
Early applications of the Hailo-10 GenAI accelerator are expected to target personal computers and automotive infotainment systems. These accelerators empower central processing units (CPUs) to handle a range of tasks, including chatbots, copilots, personal assistants and speech-operated operating systems. Hailo said it plans to commence shipping samples of the Hailo-10 accelerator in the second quarter of 2024, marking a significant step forward in the deployment of edge AI solutions.
Since its establishment in Israel in 2017, Hailo has emerged as a one of the leading global supplier of intelligent AI chips, serving over 300 customers across the world. The company's expansion includes offices in key regions such as the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan.