HomeTechnologyBRAINCHIP HOLDINGS (ASX:BRN)

BrainChip Raises A$35m, Boosts Cash to US$31.7M, Starts AKD1500 Volume Production

Technology By Sophie Babbage 3 min read

BrainChip Holdings has bolstered its financial position with a A$35 million capital raise and commenced volume production of its AKD1500 neuromorphic AI chip, while deepening its strategic partnership with Parsons’ defence arm.

  • A$35 million fully underwritten institutional placement completed
  • Volume production started for AKD1500 neuromorphic Edge AI chip
  • Strategic partnership with Parsons’ Blue Ridge Envisioneering secured
  • Global patent portfolio expanded to 61 issued and pending patents
  • Cash balance strengthened to US$31.7 million at quarter end

Financial Strength and Capital Raise

BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX – BRN) has reported a robust December quarter, underpinned by a successful A$35 million fully underwritten institutional placement and an oversubscribed share purchase plan. These capital raising efforts have significantly boosted the company’s cash reserves to US$31.7 million, more than doubling the prior quarter’s balance. This financial strength positions BrainChip well to accelerate commercialisation of its Akida neuromorphic technology and develop next-generation edge AI products.

AKD1500 Production and Market Adoption

In a major operational milestone, BrainChip commenced volume production of its AKD1500 chip, a neuromorphic edge AI accelerator designed for ultra-low power consumption and high performance. The chip delivers 800 giga operations per second while consuming less than 300 milliwatts, making it ideal for battery-powered and heat-sensitive applications such as wearables, smart sensors, and defence systems. Early adoption is evident with initial orders from strategic partners including Parsons’ Blue Ridge Envisioneering and Nex Novus, signalling growing market traction.

Strategic Defence Partnership

BrainChip has formalised a multi-year collaboration with Blue Ridge Envisioneering, a Parsons company, to integrate the AKD1500 into mission-ready defence platforms. This partnership highlights the chip’s suitability for austere environments requiring real-time, low-power AI processing without cloud dependency. The agreement includes an initial order of 10,000 chips and provisions for manufacturing scale and supply continuity, underscoring Parsons’ commitment to deploying BrainChip’s technology in critical defence applications.

Intellectual Property and Industry Engagement

During the quarter, BrainChip expanded its global intellectual property portfolio to 61 issued and pending patents across key regions including the US, Europe, and APAC. This growing patent base reinforces the company’s competitive moat in the fast-evolving edge AI sector. Concurrently, BrainChip maintained a strong presence at major industry events worldwide, showcasing its technology and engaging with partners across sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, and semiconductor innovation.

Outlook and Operational Efficiency

Operational cash outflows improved to US$3.5 million, down from US$4.9 million in the prior quarter, reflecting tighter cost control amid ongoing R&D investments. Customer cash inflows remained steady at US$0.4 million, consistent with previous quarters. With volume production underway and a solid financial runway, BrainChip is well positioned to convert its technological advances and strategic partnerships into commercial growth throughout 2026.

Bottom Line?

BrainChip’s strengthened balance sheet and production ramp-up set the stage for a pivotal year in commercialising neuromorphic AI technology.

Questions in the middle?

  • How quickly will volume sales of the AKD1500 ramp beyond initial strategic orders?
  • What new markets or applications will BrainChip target with its expanded patent portfolio?
  • How will the partnership with Parsons influence long-term revenue and product development?