RWTH Aachen's Silexica has now raised $28m altogether for its software optimisation package for embedded supercomputer applications such as autonomous vehicle technologies.

Silexica, a Germany-based software optimisation spinout from RWTH Aachen University closed a $18m series B round yesterday backed by regional VC fund Seedfonds Aachen.

The round was led by EQT Ventures Fund, a VC vehicle of private equity firm EQT Partners’ early-stage investment arm EQT Ventures. VC firms DSA Invest, Merus Capital and Paua Ventures also took part.

Founded in 2014, Silexica has developed a range of software optimisation tools called SLX which help track the performance and interactions of various software components on embedded supercomputer platforms.

The tools can be used to develop systems such as autonomous vehicles, aerospace, defence and wireless communications.

The capital will enable Silexica to deliver additional optimisation features and a simulation product that can run diagnostics across different hardware platforms. Ted Persson, design partner and investment adviser at EQT Ventures, will join Silexica’s board of director.

Silexica was spun out from Aachen’s Institute of Communications Technology and Embedded Systems. It has now raised a total of $28m in funding.

Merus and Paua Ventures co-led Silexica’s $8m series A round closed in 2016, with contributions from Seed Fonds Aachen and DSA Invest, which both reportedly invested an undisclosed sum the previous year.

Silexica joined both Stanford University’s StartX accelerator and the federal government-backed German Accelerator in 2016.

Maximilian Odendahl, chief executive of Silexica, said: “We created SLX to support software professionals facing the biggest challenge in the industry – programming heterogeneous supercomputers.

“SLX is truly adding value to customers in delivering performance improvements and system insights on some of the most advanced computers being created.”