− TDK Ventures invests in C2i Semiconductors as part of a $16.7M Series A round. The round includes participation from Peak XV Partners and prominent semiconductor industry leaders.
− C2i’s software-defined Voltage Regulator platform brings improved efficiency, reduce heat and support next generation AI accelerators.
− The technology is projected to deliver over 96% power conversion efficiency, enable processors to run up to 4°C cooler, and potentially save about $12 million annually in a 100MW AI data center.
SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–TDK Corporation (TSE:6762) announced today that TDK Ventures Inc. has invested in C2i Semiconductors, a pioneer in software-defined Voltage Regulator (VR) platforms. The investment is part of C2i’s $16.7 million Series A funding round, which includes participation from Peak XV Partners and other prominent semiconductor industry leaders.
Solving the “Last-Inch” power challenge
As AI workloads drive global data center electricity demand toward an estimated 1,000 TWh by 2030, current power delivery architectures are hitting physical limits. Modern GPUs and accelerators are projected to require peak currents of up to 6,000A by 2030, creating critical “last-inch” power losses that significantly degrade efficiency. While the NVIDIA H100 (2022) required 700W, upcoming chips like the “Feynman” (2028) are projected to demand a staggering 4,500W.
C2i Semiconductors, founded in 2024 by a veteran team of former Texas Instruments technologists, addresses these bottlenecks through a fundamental rethink of “grid-to-core” power delivery.
“The transition to AI-scale compute is one of the most significant infrastructure build-outs of our generation, and it requires innovation at the very layer that delivers power to the silicon,” said Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures. “By making the power conversion more efficient, C2i is solving one of the most critical thermal and efficiency constraints of the AI era.”
Innovation through software-defined voltage regulators
C2i’s disruption lies in its proprietary IPs powering their products. The platform includes:
− Manas Controller: A software-defined Controller with a unique control architecture that is agnostic to PDN changes and processor requirements.
− Sarayu Power Stage: A smart power stage that offer better conversion efficiency with 6x the reliability
− Modular Scalability: the controller with unique features to offer as many phases of operation as required for higher current applications, also lending itself to VPD architecture and the VRs
Massive efficiency and economic impact
C2i’s platform is projected to deliver over 96% power conversion efficiency, a significant leap over the 94% found in incumbent solutions. In a 100MW AI data center, these gains—combined with reduced heat—could translate to approximately $12 million in annual energy savings. Furthermore, technology enables processors to run up to 4°C cooler, extending the usable life of expensive AI hardware.
“Our vision is to make energy flow more reliable, denser, and more efficient from the grid all the way to the processor core,” said Ram Anant, Co-founder and CEO of C2i Semiconductors. “Partnering with TDK Ventures provides us with deep insights into advanced passives and access to a global ecosystem that will accelerate our path to mass production.”
About TDK Corporation
TDK Corporation (TSE:6762) is a global technology company and innovation leader in the electronics industry, based in Tokyo, Japan. With the tagline “In Everything, Better” TDK aims to realize a better future across all aspects of life, industry, and society. For over 90 years, TDK has shaped the world from within; from the pioneering ferrite cores to cassette tapes that defined an era, to powering the digital age with advanced components, sensors, and batteries, leading the way towards a more sustainable future. United by TDK Venture Spirit, a start-up mentality built on visions, courage and mutual trust, TDK’s passionate team members around the globe pursue better—for ourselves, customers, partners, and the world. Today, the state-of-the-art technologies of TDK are in everything, from industrial applications, energy systems, electric vehicles, to smartphones and gaming, at the core of modern life. TDK’s comprehensive, innovative-driven portfolio includes cutting-edge passive components, sensors and sensor systems, power supplies, lithium-ion and solid-state batteries, magnetic heads, AI and enterprise software solutions, and more—featuring numerous market-leading products. These are marketed under the product brands TDK, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics, TDK-Lambda, TDK SensEI, and ATL. Positioning the AI ecosystem as a key strategic area, TDK leverages its global network across the automotive, information and communication technology, and industrial equipment sectors to expand its business in a wide range of fields. In fiscal 2026, TDK posted total sales of USD 16.6 billion and employed about 107,000 people worldwide.
About TDK Ventures
TDK Ventures Inc. invests in startups to bolster innovation in materials science, energy/power, and related areas typically underrepresented in venture capital portfolios. Established in 2019 as a wholly owned subsidiary of TDK Corporation, the corporate venture company’s vision is to propel the digital and energy transformations of segments such as robotics and industrial, next-generation transportation, mixed reality, and the wider IoT/IIoT markets. TDK Ventures will co-invest and support promising portfolio companies by providing technical expertise and access to global markets where TDK operates. Interested startups or investment partners may contact TDK Ventures: www.tdk-ventures.com or contact@tdk-ventures.com.
About C2i Semiconductors
C2i Semiconductors is a Bangalore and soon to be US-based startup focused on high-efficiency lateral power delivery and voltage regulators for the next generation of AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure. The leadership team comprises semiconductor veterans with over 100+ combined years of experience and more than 100 US patents.
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