美国AI芯片独角兽企业Etched正在同步推进两轮融资，但两轮估值出现巨大差异[1]。其中红杉资本领投的一轮融资估值为100亿美元（约676亿元人民币），而简街资本领投的另一轮融资估值达到200亿美元（约1350亿元人民币），两轮估值相差700亿元人民币[1]。此外还有a16z、Diffusion、SK海力士等投资方参与[1]。截至目前，Etched已完成超过10亿美元的融资[1]。
Etched开发的SOHU芯片基于Transformer架构设计，目标是提供比英伟达GPU更高效的AI计算解决方案[1]。公司联合创始人加文·乌贝蒂声称"一台SOHU服务器可替代160块H100 GPU"[1]。首款SOHU芯片已进入测试阶段[1]，Etched已获得数千万美元的芯片订单[1]。不过乌贝蒂也坦言了风险所在，称"如果Transformer架构被淘汰，那我们也会失败"[1]。
Etched, a U.S.-based artificial intelligence chip startup, is simultaneously advancing two separate funding rounds with valuations differing by approximately $700 million, underscoring significant investor divergence on the company's worth.[1] Sequoia Capital is leading one round at a $10 billion valuation, while Jane Street Capital is backing another at $20 billion, creating a substantial gap in how major venture firms assess the company's prospects.[1]
The company has developed the SOHU chip, designed according to Transformer architecture principles and intended to deliver more efficient AI computational performance compared to NVIDIA GPUs.[1] Co-founder Gavin Uberti stated that "one Sohu server can replace 160 H100 GPUs," highlighting the company's efficiency claims.[1] The first SOHU chip has already entered testing phases, and Etched has secured orders worth tens of millions of dollars for its chips.[1] Additional investors backing the company include a16z, Diffusion, and SK Hynix.[1]
Despite its technological ambitions, Etched faces inherent risks tied to the longevity of its core focus. Uberti acknowledged that "if the Transformer architecture is abandoned, we will also fail," revealing the company's vulnerability to potential shifts in AI architecture paradigms.[1] To date, Etched has completed over $1 billion in total funding.[1]
