Ethernovia raises $90M as investors rush to fund ‘Physical AI’

A surge of interest in the intersection of artificial intelligence and physical technology is driving investment in startups like Ethernovia. This San Jose-based company has successfully raised $90 million in its Series B funding round, aimed at enhancing technological advancements in robotics and autonomous vehicles, collectively known as 'physical AI.' Ethernovia specializes in creating Ethernet-based processors designed to efficiently gather data from various sensors embedded within systems, such as those found in self-driving cars. This capability is crucial for transmitting information swiftly to central processing units, ensuring seamless operation. Previously supported by major players like Porsche SE and Qualcomm Ventures, Ethernovia's latest funding round saw significant participation from Maverick Silicon, a newly established AI-focused investment fund by Maverick Capital, which marks a historic shift in their 30-year investment strategy. This kind of targeted funding highlights a growing trend among investors eager to support lesser-known yet promising companies like Ethernovia, signaling a bright future for the physical AI sector.