DLI-backed startup achieves first-pass silicon with VIHAAN broadband chip
Aheesa Digital Innovations, a Chennai fabless chip startup backed by the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, achieved first-pass silicon success with VIHAAN on Independence Day 2026. VIHAAN is a networking System-on-Chip for fibre broadband built on the indigenous VEGA microprocessor. Production tape-out is targeted for 2027.
- Company
- Aheesa Digital Innovations, Chennai
- Chip
- VIHAAN, System-on-Chip for fibre broadband
- Processor
- indigenous VEGA microprocessor
- Scheme
- Design Linked Incentive (DLI)
- Next step
- production tape-out targeted for 2027
- DLI firms
- over US$100 million VC raised
The VIHAAN broadband chip: what happened?
A chip is first designed, then “taped out” to a foundry to be made. If the first sample works as designed, it is called first-pass silicon success. That saves time and money.
- VIHAAN was taped out on Republic Day and worked on the first pass by Independence Day.
- Aheesa raised about ₹40 crore from TNIFMC and other investors earlier this year.
- Chip design tools have been given to 455 organisations, including 350 academic institutions and 105 startups.
- Under the Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme, 71 academic institutions have taped out 245 designs.
Why does chip design matter?
- Design contributes up to 50% of value addition in the semiconductor chain.
- It is about 15 to 35% of the bill of materials of electronic products.
- Semicon 2.0 was approved in July 2026 with an outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore.
Why does the VIHAAN broadband chip matter?
- Self-reliance: Indian-designed chips for broadband and security.
- Startups: Shows investor interest in deep-tech design firms.
What can Prelims ask on the VIHAAN broadband chip?
- VIHAAN: fibre broadband SoC by Aheesa on the VEGA processor.
- DLI Scheme supports chip design startups.
- Fabless: a firm that designs chips but does not own a fab.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-08-15): aheesa Digital Innovations, backed by the Design Linked Incentive scheme, achieved first-pass silicon success with VIHAAN, a broadband chip on the indigenous VEGA processor.
- Chip design is where India has talent depth.
Quotable data pointDLI companies have raised over $100 million VC and 35 design tape-outs.
PIB: MeitY: VIHAAN chip, 15 Aug 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: DLI; RISC-V.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
VIHAAN, which achieved first-pass silicon success in 2026, is a chip meant for
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (MeitY), 15 Aug 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What is VIHAAN?
A networking System-on-Chip for fibre broadband, designed by Chennai startup Aheesa on the indigenous VEGA microprocessor.
What is first-pass silicon success?
When the first manufactured sample of a chip works as designed, without a redesign.
Which scheme backs Aheesa?
The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme of MeitY.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: MeitY: VIHAAN chip, 15 Aug 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending