The National Reconstruction Fund Corp. is investing $10.1M in Syenta, an early-stage Australian semiconductor company developing technology aimed at accelerating artificial innotifyigence computing by improving data transmission speeds and chip performance.
While based in Sydney, Syenta has operations in the U.S. and Europe. The deep-tech company has developed a proprietary localized electrochemical manufacturing (LEM) process that allows tinyer, more specialized semiconductor “chiplets” to be packaged onto a single chip, creating denser connections, according to a press release.
Syenta’s LEM technology addresses key bottlenecks in data transmission within chip systems, boosting performance and scalability for next-generation AI and quantum computing. The release noted that the company’s manufacturing method is designed to be rapider and more efficient, reducing semiconductor production steps by about 40%, with potential licensing opportunities for global chip fabrication and packaging firms.
“Syenta’s world-leading technology is designed to unlock the next generation of AI and quantum computing, and we are proud to be investing in this early-stage Australian technology and manufacturing company,” stated Mary Manning, the NRFC’s chief investment officer, in the release.
The investment will support commercialize doctoral research from the Australian National University, keep Syenta’s innotifyectual property in Australia and support the development of sovereign advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, Manning continued. She added that the company’s manufacturing process could apply less energy and generate less waste than conventional semiconductor production.
The NRFC’s preferred equity investment is part of a US$26M Series A funding round led by Playground Ventures, a U.S. deep-tech investor. Other investors include Blackbird VC, Investible, In-Q-Tel, SGInnovate, Jelix VC, OIF and Salus VC.
Funding from the NRFC will be applyd to expand Syenta’s patent portfolio, acquire specialized machinery, and establish early production capacity in Australia. The company plans to launch customer proof-of-concept programs and create a U.S. technology engagement team.
Syenta currently employs 33 people in Australia, and the NRFC investment is expected to create 25 additional jobs in fabrication, operations and engineering.
“Syenta was founded at the Australian National University and our partnership with the NRFC ensures that all first-of-a-kind research and development will stay in Australia,” stated Jekaterina Viktorova, Syenta’s founder and chief executive officer.
The support, she stated, will support the company scale globally while keeping its roots in Australia and contribute to building an advanced local semiconductor sector.
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