Chennai startup Aheesa's VIHAAN broadband chip, built on VEGA processor, achieves first-pass silicon
MeitY said on 15 August 2026 that DLI Scheme-backed Chennai startup Aheesa Digital Innovations achieved first-pass silicon success with VIHAAN, a fibre broadband chip built on the indigenous VEGA microprocessor.
Summary
Aheesa Digital Innovations, a Chennai-based fabless semiconductor startup backed by the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, achieved first-pass silicon success on Independence Day 2026 with VIHAAN, a networking System-on-Chip for fibre broadband built using the indigenous VEGA microprocessor, the Ministry of Electronics and IT said on 15 August 2026. VIHAAN was taped out on Republic Day and will move to production tape-out, targeted for 2027. The startup has attracted venture funding from the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Fund Management Corporation (TNIFMC) and others. MeitY said DLI-backed companies have together raised over $100 million in VC funding and achieved 35 design tape-outs.
Key facts
- Startup
- Aheesa Digital Innovations, Chennai (fabless)
- Chip
- VIHAAN, networking SoC for fibre broadband
- Processor
- Indigenous VEGA microprocessor
- Milestones
- Taped out on Republic Day; first-pass silicon on Independence Day 2026
- Production tape-out
- Targeted 2027
- DLI ecosystem
- Over $100 million VC raised; 35 tape-outs
Practice MCQs 2 questions
VIHAAN, the broadband chip by Aheesa Digital Innovations that achieved first-pass silicon in August 2026, is built using which indigenous microprocessor?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — VEGA
MeitY said VIHAAN is a fibre broadband networking SoC built using the indigenous VEGA microprocessor.
Under which government scheme is chip design startup Aheesa Digital Innovations supported?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme
Aheesa is a DLI Scheme-backed startup; MeitY said DLI-backed companies have raised over $100 million in VC funding and achieved 35 design tape-outs.