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The number of venture-backed optical component startups has exploded. The Optical Component Startup Tracker identifies these companies and clarifies their value propositions.

Since many of these companies are in stealth mode, this tracker relies on the limited information available, either publicly or via conversations with the companies. Entries will be updated regularly as better information is available. Feedback is always appreciated – you can reach us at https://cignal.ai/contact.

Company NameValue Proposition
Aloe SemiconductorDual polarization of PAM4 optics to double fiber capacity without increasing baud rate
AttoTudeLow power connectivity inside the datacenter
AvicenaArrays of micro LEDs for low power, massively parallel chip-to-chip optical interconnect
Ayar LabsOn-board optical interconnect engine chiplet and multi-wavelength light source for AI node bandwidth interconnect
Bright Silicon TechnologiesOptical circuit switch company with unique MEMS technology
Celero CommunicationsStealth startup, likely focused on coherent DSPs
Celestial AIOptical chip-to-chip and chip-to-memory connectivity
DrutDatacenter disaggregation via PCIe cards, MEMS switching, and coordination software
DustPhotonicsSilicon photonics for low-power, high speed optical interconnects
Effect Photonics100ZR DSP and highly integrated tunable laser assembly
HyperlightThin film lithium niobate modulators
iPronicsOptical circuit switching using silicon photonics
LessengersOptical interconnect solution using direct optical wiring
LightmatterPhotonic computing platform
LucideanStealth startup apparently working on coherent modulation
LumiphaseBarium titanate and silicon photonics
MixxStealth startup developing silicon photonics for AI interconnectivity
NewphotonicsOptical signal equalization for LPO and other PIC products
nEye SystemsOptical switching on a silicon chip
Nubis Communications3D optical interconnect for inside the AI node or CPO applications
OpenLightSilicon Photonics PDKs for integration into manufacturing
Oriole NetworksStealth startup working on low-power AI optical interconnects
PhanofiStealth startup working on PIC designs for coherent solutions
PhotonicX AIStealth startup working on scalable optical interconnect technologies
Pilot PhotonicsComb laser-based PICs
POET TechnologiesOptical layer interposers for easier integration of light sources, modulators, and other optical functions into chip packaging
Point2Mixed-Signal SoCs for low power and low latency AECs and Active RF Cables (ARCs) by using RF transmission over plastic dielectric waveguides (technically not optics, but optics adjacent).
RanovusQuantum dot lasers and silicon photonics for AI optical interconnects
RetymStealth startup working on optical DSPs
Scintil PhotonicsIntegrating II-Vs with SiPho at wafer scale for hybrid PICs
Sicoya (Dawn)Silicon photonics startup, now a part of Dawn Semiconductor
Skorpios TechnologiesIntegrating II-Vs with SiPho at wafer scale for hybrid PICs
TeraSignalAnalog electronics to provide active feedback (electrical) for LPO
Xscape PhotonicsProgrammable comb laser for WDM integration into AI fabrics

Description and brief analysis of each company follows:


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