Zhichuangxin
Category: AI Chips / Semiconductors
A RISC-V processor and SoC chip startup founded by a former Alibaba T-Head executive, developing AI inference processors for IoT, smart home, and edge computing applications. Zhichuangxin was founded in 2022. The company is led by Chen Hao. Based in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. Team size: 11-50. Latest round: Pre-Series A. Key investors include TusStar Venture Capital (启迪之星创投), Shenzhen Kaihong Digital Industry Fund (深开鸿产业基金), Taihe Capital (太和资本), Dagong Capital (大公资本), Zhuhai Zhengling Group (珠海正菱集团), Puyuan Technology (应广科技).
- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Team size
- 11-50
Value proposition
Building a complete RISC-V ecosystem (chip + software platform + terminal applications) to enable domestic CPU substitution and open-source hardware-software synergy, with a focus on mass-production-ready RISC-V solutions.
Products and solutions
RISC-V processors and SoC chips with built-in RISC-V CPUs, multiple chips launched and in mass production with annual shipments of several million units, MCU chips for IoT and smart terminal applications.
Unique value
Dual open-source strategy combining RISC-V hardware with OpenHarmony OS; focus on mass-production scale (millions of chips shipped annually) rather than just high-end server/robot niches; full-stack approach from chip design to software platform to terminal product.
Target customer
IoT device manufacturers, smart home OEMs, industrial control system integrators, Tier-1 system vendors, national computing infrastructure projects
Industries served
IoT, Smart Home, Industrial Control, Edge Computing, National Computing Infrastructure
Technology advantage
RISC-V processor design expertise; SoC integration capabilities; established mass production partnerships with Tier-1 vendors; strategic partnership with Shenzhen Kaihong for OpenHarmony integration; annual chip shipments in the millions; entry into national-level computing infrastructure projects.
How they differentiate
Unlike most Chinese RISC-V startups targeting servers or robots, Zhichuangxin focuses on high-volume consumer/industrial IoT markets (smart home first). Their "dual open-source" strategy (RISC-V + OpenHarmony) creates a vertically integrated software-hardware ecosystem. The team's deep ties to Alibaba T-Head and experience shipping 30B+ CPU cores gives them unique mass-production expertise.
Main competitors
SpacemiT (Hangzhou, RISC-V AI chips, raised $86M+), StarFive (Shanghai, RISC-V CPU IP and SoC, backed by Baidu)
Key partnerships
Shenzhen Kaihong Digital (OpenHarmony strategic partnership for dual open-source ecosystem), STMicroelectronics (MCU ecosystem strategic cooperation), Elete, Changfeng Imaging, Kezhuoer, Fenghuo Fuhua, Daoxing Technology, Chaoyuan Semiconductor (Tier-1 partners), RISC-V IP vendors
Notable customers
Multiple leading system vendors (mass production orders), national-level computing infrastructure projects
Major milestones
2022: Founded by ex-Alibaba T-Head executive Chen Hao, 2022: Angel round from Taihe Capital and Dagong Capital, 2023: Strategic partnership with STMicroelectronics, launched two chip products, achieved tens of millions RMB in revenue, 2026: Pre-A round led by TusStar Venture Capital with Shenzhen Kaihong for OpenHarmony+RISC-V dual open-source strategy, annual chip shipments reached millions of units, entered national-level computing infrastructure projects.
Growth metrics
Annual chip shipments: several million units; Revenue: tens of millions RMB (数千万元) as of 2023; Multiple chips in mass production
Market positioning
Mid-market RISC-V chip developer focused on high-volume IoT/smart home/industrial applications, positioned as an ecosystem builder rather than just a chip vendor, leveraging the "dual open-source" (RISC-V + OpenHarmony) trend in China's domestic semiconductor push.
Geographic focus
China domestic market primarily, with potential for broader RISC-V ecosystem play
About Chen Hao
Former Alibaba T-Head Semiconductor Market & Marketing VP; previously served at Infineon, Atmel, Synopsys, LSI, and other international semiconductor companies. Core team has served 300+ chip design companies with 3B+ cumulative CPU shipments.