Launch · Government, Defense & Space

Aheesa achieves first-pass silicon success of VIHAAN chip

By Startup Enthusiast · 15 August 2026

What they do

Aheesa Digital Innovations is a fabless semiconductor startup that designs chips for broadband networking and security

It achieved first-pass silicon success of its VIHAAN RISC-V networking SoC on Independence Day 2026, after taping out on Republic Day 2026

VIHAAN is India's first domestically designed RISC-V broadband networking SoC, and the company targets production tape-out in 2027

Aheesa Digital Innovations achieved first-pass silicon success of its VIHAAN chip on Independence Day 2026.
The VIHAAN chip was taped out (final design sent to fabrication) on Republic Day 2026.
The company targets a production tape-out in 2027.
VIHAAN is a RISC-V networking SoC (system-on-chip) for fibre broadband, built with the C-DAC VEGA 64-bit processor.
The chip is designed for GPON/EPON FTTH CPE (fibre-to-the-home customer premises equipment) and integrates compute, broadband access, and system control on a single chip.
VIHAAN supports Gigabit Ethernet, DDR4, SPI NOR Flash, and eMMC.
The chip comes with built-in security: root of trust, secure boot, and cryptographic engines.
Aheesa also offers the Aheesa Router OS (AROS) based on OpenWrt and the Seshnag Reference Platform for OEM/ODM development.

VIHAAN is India's first domestically designed RISC-V broadband networking SoC, backed by the DLI Scheme (Design Linked Incentive).
The government may mandate Indian chips for networking equipment and routers to boost self-reliance.
First-pass silicon success for SoC concepts is typically only 14-30%, making this achievement notable.
The Semicon 2.0 scheme approved in July 2026 has a ₹1,27,500 crore outlay for the semiconductor ecosystem.

Aheesa is a fabless semiconductor startup (designs chips but outsources fabrication) focusing on broadband networking and security.
Its main product is the VIHAAN RISC-V networking SoC for fibre broadband, built with the C-DAC VEGA 64-bit processor.
The chip targets GPON/EPON FTTH CPE (fibre-to-the-home equipment) and integrates compute, broadband access, and system control.
VIHAAN supports Gigabit Ethernet, DDR4, SPI NOR Flash, and eMMC interfaces.
The chip includes hardware security: root of trust, secure boot, and cryptographic engines.
Aheesa provides the Aheesa Router OS (AROS) based on OpenWrt for routers, modems, and access points.
The Seshnag Reference Platform helps OEMs/ODMs develop products using Aheesa chips.
Target markets include enterprise networking, edge infrastructure, automotive networking, and infotainment.
The company raised ~₹40 crore earlier in 2026 from TNIFMC via the TNESSF and other private investors.
Total funding raised to date is ~$4.3 million.
It has an investment MoU with the Tamil Nadu government for a ₹250 crore R&D centre in Chennai, generating 300 jobs.

The company will use the funding to speed up product development and grow its semiconductor business.
The Chennai Product Engineering Centre will focus on networking chips, router OS, and OEM platforms.
Long-term R&D will explore quantum use cases.
The company is also working on chipsets for other applications beyond broadband.