#China #Shanghai #AI Chips #Axera #Hong Kong IPO

Axera Achieves Landmark IPO

On February 10th, 2026, Axera, a prominent Chinese edge AI chip company, made its grand entrance onto the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone for both the company and the AI industry. This listing positions Axera as the first edge AI chip developer to go public, showcasing its innovative contributions to AI technology.

Founded in May 2019, Axera has rapidly progressed to become a leader in the AI chip sector, specializing in producing advanced perception and computing chips for various applications, including intelligent vehicles and edge computing. The company’s shares debuted at HK$28.2 each, leading to a total market capitalization of approximately HK$16.58 billion. Axera’s strategic alignment with Qiming Venture Partners, its initial investor, has been instrumental in fostering its growth. Qiming has supported Axera through several funding rounds since early 2020, maintaining a significant stake in the company prior to its IPO.

Dr. Xiaoxin Qiu, the Founder and Chairman of Axera, expressed that this IPO represents more than just a financial achievement for the company. It signifies a commitment to social responsibility and a motivation to further advance AI technology. “This IPO marks a pivotal milestone for Axera’s growth, bringing greater social responsibility and heralding a new chapter,” commented Dr. Qiu. He outlined the company’s vision to leverage this new platform to push the boundaries of technology further, expand business operations, and enhance the embrace of AI across various industries.

From its inception, Axera has designed chips based on a unique strategy that integrates general technology with customized solutions for different markets. Its proprietary technologies like the AXProton AI-ISP and AXNeutron NPU enable it to cater to diverse sectors efficiently. Since then, multiple generations of its chips have been successfully commercialized, leading Axera to become a key player in various applications ranging from visual computing terminals to AI inference in intelligent vehicles.

As of 2024, Axera ranks among the top five global suppliers of visual edge AI inference chips by shipment volume, commanding an impressive 24.1% market share in the mid- to high-end market segment. In the intelligent vehicle category, its growth trajectory has been remarkable, as it has emerged as China's second-largest supplier of intelligent assisted driving chips based on installation volumes recorded in 2024. With nearly one million intelligent vehicle chips shipped by the end of 2025, Axera is clearly a pivotal player in the automotive sector.

In an exciting pivot, Axera has also launched new operations focused on edge computing, which promises to establish an edge intelligence ecosystem. This initiative aims to broaden the scope of AI application across various industries, strengthening Axera’s market position and ascent into the upper echelons of China’s AI chip suppliers.

Following the IPO, Alex Zhou, Managing Partner of Qiming Venture Partners, emphasized the successful listing as a validation of their investment philosophy, which targets early-stage companies poised for breakthrough innovations. “We believe that investing in AI will yield the greatest returns in China over the next two decades,” Zhou stated, remarking on the firm’s continued commitment to nurturing Axera and other startups throughout their growth journeys.

Looking forward, Axera has a blueprint for sustainable growth and innovation in the AI chip landscape, leveraging its extensive experience and strengths in core AI technologies. With a vision to redefine the AI ecosystem, Axera aims to transform how industries integrate and utilize artificial intelligence, carving a path for continued advancements in technology and its applications in everyday life. The IPO not only reflects Axera’s current success but also positions it as a cornerstone in the rapidly evolving world of edge AI technology.