A Stealth Startup Thinks It Just Hacked the Memory Shortage
wired ·
Kepler Computing, a stealth startup founded in 2018, has announced a new architecture for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and SRAM that it claims can ease the global memory-chip shortage by increasing density without using expensive EUV lithography. The company says its 3D stacking technique and proprietary ferroelectric composite material allow it to work within existing semiconductor fabs, and it has raised $468 million from investors including GlobalFoundries, Intel Capital, AMD Ventures, Baillie Gifford, and Bill Gates. The US Department of Commerce has committed up to $245 million to support Kepler's development of AI memory technology. Kepler is partnering with GlobalFoundries, testing at facilities in Singapore and Vermont, and claims it can convert a fab into a next-generation facility in eight months versus the typical 24. However, challenges remain, such as the need to keep iron in its composite material thoroughly isolated to avoid contamination. Kepler plans to ship first HBM samples later this year, ramp production in Singapore next year, and begin US chip production in 2028, but skeptics note that scaling innovative semiconductor manufacturing to meet historic demand is extremely difficult.
wired