Vertical Semiconductor, spun out of MIT, secured $11 million in fresh funding to commercialize efficient GaN-based power chips aimed at AI data centers. Its designs stack transistors vertically—unlike horizontal layouts—to reduce heat and improve energy conversion. The startup plans to ship prototypes before year end and commercialize its products next year. Backed by Playground Global, it aims to disrupt existing silicon incumbents in high-efficiency power conversion for AI workloads.