Advanced logic semiconductor manufacturer Rapidus Corporation has sealed a partnership with Tenstorrent Inc., a next-generation computing company building computers for AI. Particularly, the two companies agreed to jointly develop semiconductor IP in the field of AI edge devices based on 2nm logic semiconductors.

In addition to its AI processors and servers, Tenstorrent built and owns the world’s most performant RISC-V CPU IP. Moreover, the company licenses that technology to its customers around the world. 

Through this technological partnership with Rapidus, Tenstorrent will accelerate the development of cutting-edge devices to meet the needs of the ever-evolving digital society.  

Atsuyoshi Koike, President and CEO of Rapidus Inc. said, “We are both unique startup companies, and I am confident that this collaboration will lead to major innovations based on AI.”

“Japan is very important both to Tenstorrent and to me personally,” said David Bennett, Chief Customer Officer of Tenstorrent.  In addition, Bennett said, “We have tremendous momentum with our customers in the Asia Pacific region right now, and I am proud that we can start talking about all the things we are doing in Japan.”

Cutting-Edge Facility

Recently, Rapidus began construction of Innovative Integration for Manufacturing (IIM) in Chitose City, Hokkaido. This will be Japan’s first facility to produce state-of-the-art logic semiconductors at 2nm and beyond.  At the same time, Rapidus has been dispatching researchers to the Albany Nanotech Complex in New York, USA, one of the world’s most advanced semiconductor research centers. Particularly, the purpose is to work with IBM to develop technologies for the production of 2nm logic semiconductors.

The company is also planning to acquire EUV lithography technology, which is essential for the production of cutting-edge semiconductors, from imec. Utilizing these technologies, the company plans to start operation of a pilot production line at IIM-1in April 2025. Moreover, to begin mass production in 2027.

Rapidus will contribute to the enhancement of Japan’s industrial strength through the realization of a state-of-the-art LSI foundry. Thus, it will continue to build cooperative frameworks with domestic and overseas materials and equipment industries. At the same time, through international collaborations with IBM, imec, and other partners. In addition, the company will also actively promote collaboration in the field of intellectual property (IP).