Openchip
Openchip designs RISC-V processors and accelerators for AI and HPC through a fabless model and a strong European technological autonomy thesis.
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Podcast Episode
🎙️ Deep Dive
Openchip, Gaussion, Wultra — RISC-V chips, intelligent batteries and post-quantum identity — Daily News June 29, 2026
Listen to the episodeAbout Openchip
Openchip is a Barcelona-based scale-up born from an initiative linked to GTD and the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre. The company develops processors and accelerators based on RISC-V architecture for AI and high-performance computing. In June 2026 it secured a €115M investment from SETT, Spain's public vehicle for transformative technologies, strengthening its role in Europe's semiconductor sovereignty agenda.
The Story
Started in 2021 through GTD and the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, Openchip was created to strengthen Europe's capacity in advanced chip design.
How Openchip works
Business Model
Fabless semiconductor company focused on design, IP and commercialisation, with manufacturing outsourced to specialist foundries.
Revenue Model
Not disclosed; expected model based on sales/licensing of chips, IP, accelerators and AI/HPC solutions.
Products & Services
Key Products
- RISC-V processors
- AI accelerators
- HPC accelerators
Core Use Cases
- Artificial intelligence infrastructure
- High-performance computing
- Data centres
- Scientific computing
- Energy-efficient compute
Market & Clients
Key Customers
AI, HPC, data centre and advanced computing customers; specific commercial customers are not fully disclosed.
Geographic Presence
How Openchip competes
Competitors
Competitive Advantages
- RISC-V architecture
- European public backing
- Barcelona Supercomputing Centre origin
- Energy-efficient AI/HPC positioning
How Openchip grows
Growth Strategy
Accelerate the design of high-performance, energy-efficient AI/HPC chips and expand European semiconductor capabilities.
Distribution Model
B2B semiconductor/IP sales and strategic partnerships.
Moat (Defensibility)
Chip design IP, specialist semiconductor talent, institutional support and alignment with European technology sovereignty.
Regulatory Context
Relevant to the European Chips Act, IPCEI, Spanish PERTE Chip and EU strategic autonomy policy.
Key Risks
- Capital intensity
- Long semiconductor development cycles
- Dependence on foundries
- Execution risk in competitive AI chip market
- Public investor governance complexity
Strategic Insights
- European industrial policy is moving directly into the capital stack of strategic deep-tech scale-ups.
- RISC-V may become an important axis for reducing dependency on proprietary architectures.
- The fabless model enables focus on design and IP, but leaves foundry dependency open.
Funding & Investors
Total Funding
Latest Valuation
Funding Rounds
- 2026 - Strategic investment: €115M / €115.77M reported by Spanish press
Lead: SETT
Key Investors
Founding Team
Founders
Key Executives
- Francesc Guim - CEO
- Marc Fernández - General Manager / CFO
- Tobías Martínez - Chairman
Key Metrics
Lessons from Openchip
- In strategic markets, public capital can be a decisive part of the funding stack.
- Technological sovereignty requires companies that combine IP, talent and institutional relationships.
- A European positioning becomes an advantage when attached to a concrete industrial product.
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