Raised in 2026 · Worldwide

Photonics startups that raised in 2026

57 photonics startups raised money in 2026 in rounds we track, $2.7B between them this year. Each sits in the segment that says what it does, ranked by what it raised this year.

57startups on the map
5segments
$2.7Braised between them in 2026
Optical computing and interconnectsmost funded segment

Lasers

28

+4 more

Optical computing and interconnects

11

Lidar and sensing

9

Quantum photonics

6

Optical components

3

Segment by segment

Lasers

28 startups · $912M raised

  1. Focused EnergyFocused Energy is a German-American deep-tech startup founded in 2021, specializing in laser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF).Germany$240M
  2. BBCCbcc is a cosmetology center that provides plastic surgery, laser hair removal, anti-aging, wrinkle firming, whitening and rejuvenaSpain$170M
  3. Xcimer EnergyXcimer Energy is an inertial fusion company offering laser-driven fusion to provide cheap, abundant, and carbon-free energy.United States$100M
  4. Laser LinkLaser Link is a laser communication company that focuses on development of precision optical-mechanical products for commercial aircraft.-$73M
  5. Monarch QuantumMonarch Quantum, Inc.United States$55M
  6. Aurelius SystemsAurelius Systems builds AI-powered directed energy laser defense platforms protecting troops, bases, and infrastructure from UAS dUnited States$40M
  7. QuintessentQuintessent is a Santa Barbara start-up that commercializes quantum dot-based lasers and photonic integrated circuits.United States$40M
  8. Blue Laser FusionBlue Laser Fusion is a renewable energy power generation company that provides energy management and clean energy generation services.United States$34M

Optical computing and interconnects

11 startups · $1.3B raised

  1. LumilensLumilens addresses the red hot market for AI data center infrastructure by designing, manufacturing and selling photonic interconnUnited States$700M
  2. PsiQuantumPsiQuantum develops quantum computer using photonic qubits and silicon photonics to build fault-tolerant quantum computing systems.United States$125M
  3. iPronicsiPRONICS is a Spanish deep-tech semiconductor company founded in 2019 as a spinoff from Universitat Politècnica de València.Spain$125M
  4. NeurophosNeurophos Inc.United States$110M
  5. nEye.aiWe are nEye.ai, an optical switch startup founded in 2020 to revolutionize the future of data centers.United States$80M
  6. OpenLightOpenLight is a silicon photonics company based in Goleta, California, specializing in the design and manufacture of custom PhotoniUnited States$50M
  7. OptalysysOptalysys Ltd is a high-tech company based in Leeds, United Kingdom, specializing in optical computing and silicon photonics.United Kingdom$31M
  8. Palomino LaboratoriesPalomino Laboratories develops compound semiconductor and MicroLED-based optical interconnect technologies for AI and data communication.United States$17M

Lidar and sensing

9 startups · $275M raised

  1. OusterOuster builds high-resolution digital lidar sensors for industrial automation, smart infrastructure, robotics, and automotive.United States$200M
  2. Living OpticsLiving Optics is a private deep-tech company founded in 2020, specializing in the development and manufacturing of affordable, porUnited Kingdom$39M
  3. DentroidDentroid is an Australian dental technology startup founded in 2017 by Dr.Australia$22M
  4. AIRMOAIRMO GmbH is a German startup founded in 2022, specializing in climate-tech and space-tech solutions.Germany$5.8M
  5. Sportlight TechnologySportlight Technology is a UK-based sports technology startup founded in 2015, specializing in elite athlete tracking and performaUnited Kingdom$2.8M
  6. Singular PhotonicsSingular Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.United Kingdom$2.2M
  7. Northern Light MicroscopyNorthern Light Microscopy is a precision photonics and microscopy company based in Glasgow, established in 2024 as a spinout from United Kingdom$1.6M
  8. Voyant PhotonicsVoyant Photonics manufactures light detection to perform three-dimensional sensing, measure range, velocity, and reflectivity.United States$1.0M

Quantum photonics

6 startups · $268M raised

  1. PhotonicPhotonic develops quantum computing and networking technologies, utilizing silicon spin qubits and native telecom networking interface.Canada$131M
  2. EleQtroneleQtron GmbH, founded in 2020, is a pioneering German start-up focused on developing and operating trapped-ion quantum computers.Germany$67M
  3. ORCA ComputingORCA Computing is building the first scalable and flexible quantum computer powered by photonics.United Kingdom$51M
  4. QuanfluenceQuanfluence is a Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup founded in 2021, specializing in photonic quantum computing systems and quantumIndia$10M
  5. Pixel PhotonicsPixel Photonics manufactures scalable single-photon detectors for applications like secure quantum communication.Germany$5.7M
  6. Photon QueuePhoton Queue is a quantum hardware startup founded in 2025, emerging from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.United States$4.0M

Optical components

3 startups · $33M raised

  1. Relativity NetworksRelativity Networks is a telecommunications company based in Orlando, Florida, founded in 2023.United States$23M
  2. CCRAFTCCRAFT is a Swiss-based photonic chip foundry that specializes in industrial-scale thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic integSwitzerland$7.8M
  3. UviquityUviquity is a deep-tech photonics company based in Raleigh, North Carolina.United States$2.5M

How this map is made. Every startup here has raised money in rounds we track, and raised in 2026. It joins the map when its sectors, read from its rounds, or the opening of its own description say it works in photonics, and goes to the first segment whose words it carries. Each segment shows its biggest raisers this year first. Rebuilt nightly; updated 15 November 2026.

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