Chinese auto-chip startup Black Sesame Technologies said on Wednesday that it had raised "hundreds of millions of dollars" from Xiaomi Corp and other investors as China accelerates development of its semiconductor industry.
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Xiaomi Eyeing Electric Car Market, Could Join $231 Million Investment Round on AI Driving Chipmaker
Xiaomi is reportedly mulling over joining an investment round for Black Sesame, a company specializing in AI chips and systems for self-driving electric cars.
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Xiaomi, the world s third-largest smartphone manufacturer in Q1 2021, has set its eyes on entering the electric car market. With that, the Chinese smartphone giant is looking to invest in the technologies required to run electric vehicles.
In line with that business strategy, Xiaomi is allegedly mulling over participating in a $231 million investment round for Black Sesame Technologies, Inc., according to anonymous sources, Bloomberg reports.
Horizon Robotics, a Chinese rival to Nvidia, seeks to raise over $700M
In their rush to offer alternatives to advanced western chipsets, Chinese semiconductor companies are racking up large fundings from investors. Horizon Robotics, a five-year-old unicorn specializing in AI chips for robots and autonomous vehicles, announced Tuesday that it has secured $150 million in funding.
The proceeds are the first close of a more than $700 million Series C round that Horizon is seeking to raise. The partial funding is jointly led by prominent investors 5Y Capital (formerly Morningside Venture Capital), Hillhouse Capital and Capital Today. Chinese brokerage Guotai Junan’s international arm and KTB Network, an investment entity under the Korean conglomerate KTB, also participated.