Bengaluru-based AGNIT Semiconductors, India’s first vertically integrated gallium nitride (GaN) chipmaker, has established a new testing and qualification laboratory at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The startup invested over Rs 3 crore to build the 350 square feet facility focused on in-house validation, reliability testing, and qualification of GaN semiconductor components.
The new lab houses advanced infrastructure including environmental chambers operating between -60°C and 125°C, RF test and measurement benches, connectorised load pull testing stations, and automated PCB assembly systems. This facility will allow AGNIT to conduct accelerated lifetime testing, stress testing, and reliability qualification for chips operating in high-temperature and high-voltage environments typical of defence and telecom systems.
AGNIT, founded in 2019 and incubated at IISc, designs and manufactures radio-frequency GaN semiconductor components based on more than 15 years of research at the institute. The company has raised approximately $7.47 million to date from investors including Shastra VC, 3one4 Capital, and Zephyr Peacock.
According to co-founder Hareesh Chandrasekar, the lab will significantly reduce testing and product development timelines while giving customers greater confidence in deploying AGNIT’s chips in real-world systems. The facility comes as AGNIT prepares for larger commercial orders and plans to scale production to 100,000 GaN chip units over the next 24 months.
AGNIT’s GaN chips are used in defence, telecom, and next-generation wireless applications, positioning India in the critical semiconductor space.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
1. What is AGNIT Semiconductors?
AGNIT is India’s first vertically integrated gallium nitride (GaN) chipmaker, founded in 2019 and incubated at IISc Bengaluru, specializing in radio-frequency semiconductor components for defence and telecom.
2. How much did AGNIT invest in the new lab?
AGNIT invested over Rs 3 crore to build the 350 square feet GaN testing facility at IISc, featuring environmental chambers, RF test benches, and automated PCB assembly systems.
3. What is AGNIT’s production target?
AGNIT aims to scale production to 100,000 GaN chip units within 24 months, with the new lab reducing testing timelines and supporting larger commercial orders.