Bengaluru-based Makr Microsystems has raised Rs. 10.2 crore in seed funding led by Bluehill VC. Artha Venture Fund also participated in the round.

The startup is working in semiconductor metrology, a highly specialized but very important part of chip manufacturing. In simple words, metrology means measuring and inspecting chips during production. As chips become smaller and more layered, manufacturers need better tools to find defects that are not visible on the surface.

What Makr Microsystems does

Makr Microsystems builds 3D metrology tools for semiconductor manufacturers. Its technology helps chipmakers inspect structures and defects hidden below the surface of semiconductor devices.

This matters because modern chips are no longer simple flat designs. They are becoming more complex, with advanced packaging, chiplets, hybrid bonding and many tiny layers packed together. If a defect is buried inside, normal inspection tools may miss it.

Makr is developing a platform that combines Acoustic Atomic Force Microscopy, optical tomography and 3D data analytics software. Put simply, it uses sound, light and software to help manufacturers look deeper into chips without damaging them.

Founder and founding year

Makr Microsystems was founded by Dr. Ashwin Lal and Paritosh Kumar in 2024, and incorporated in April 2025.

Dr. Ashwin Lal is the founder and CEO. He has an M.Sc. in Physics from IIT Kanpur and a PhD in Microtechnology from EPFL. He has also worked at Applied Materials and earlier founded Shilps Sciences.

Paritosh Kumar is the co-founder and CTO. He brings experience in AI, data science and software engineering.

Aim of the startup

Makr’s aim is to make hidden chip structures measurable at nanoscale precision.

A practical example makes this easier. Imagine a chipmaker producing advanced chips for AI, phones or cars. Even a tiny hidden defect can reduce output or affect performance. If Makr’s tool can detect such problems early, manufacturers can improve quality and reduce waste.

This is valuable because chip manufacturing is expensive. Better inspection can help companies produce more usable chips from each batch.

Purpose of the funding

The fresh Rs. 10.2 crore funding will be used for technology development, customer validation and commercial development.

That means Makr will work on improving its core product, testing it with potential semiconductor customers and moving closer to real-world deployment. For a deep-tech hardware startup, this stage is important because lab success is only the first step. The product also has to work reliably inside demanding semiconductor manufacturing environments.

Competitors

Makr operates in a global market where large companies such as KLA, Applied Materials, Onto Innovation and Hitachi High-Tech already provide semiconductor inspection and metrology tools.

Its challenge will be to prove that its subsurface measurement technology can offer something meaningfully better for next-generation chipmaking. Its opportunity is also large, because India is trying to build a stronger semiconductor ecosystem, and fab-side tools are still a relatively underdeveloped startup area in the country.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

Makr Microsystems’ Rs. 10.2 crore seed round shows growing investor interest in India’s semiconductor equipment space.

The startup wants to help chipmakers see below the surface, detect hidden defects and measure advanced chip structures without damaging them. The funding will help Makr improve its technology, validate it with customers and move toward commercial use.

Facts Input- SMEStreet