Also in the E round was Nasdaq-listed Sourcefire.

Netronome, a US-based semiconductor company, has raised $19m in its series E round from a consortium including Nasdaq-listed Sourcefire and Intel Capital, the corporate venturing unit of the eponymous chip maker.

Also in the E round were venture capital firm DFJ Esprit and financial services firm Raptor Group. In May 2010, Netronome raised $23m in its D round following a $20m C round in November 2006 from financial investors 3i, Tudor Investment, Top Technology Ventures, Spinner global Technology and angel investors.

Netronome’s Series A and B rounds were $1.5m and $3m, respectively.

Robert Sansom, newly-appointed board chairman for Netronome and an investor in Netronome’s D round (and co-founder of Fore Systems), said: “This round of financing will provide the resources necessary to take the company to profitability.”

Netronome offers its chip processor line, the NFP-6xxx, being built using Intel’s Tri-gate technology. Todd Headley, chief financial officer at Sourcefire, said Intel and Netronome’s designs were in its FirePower platform.

He added: “This investment strengthens our relationship with Netronome and ensures strategic alignment as Netronome’s 22nm flow processors and other new technologies are developed.”

Howard Bubb, chief executive at Netronome since 2011 and a former Intel executive, added: “We welcome the investment by Sourcefire and strategic engagement by Intel as they represent valuable relationships to Netronome at both ends of our business.”

Keith Larson, vice-president of Intel Capital, added: “Intel Capital is pleased to support the growth of Netronome’s business and its relationship with Intel.”