Lightmatter Raises $400 Million for AI Tech

Lightmatter, a California-based startup specializing in photonic technology, has raised $400 million in a Series D funding round, bringing its valuation to $4.4 billion. This funding, led by T. Rowe Price with participation from Fidelity and GV, is intended to enhance its photonic chips aimed at improving data center operations, particularly in the rapidly evolving AI infrastructure market. CEO Nick Harris indicated that this could be their last private funding round before pursuing an IPO, emphasizing the demand for their technology in high-performance computing. The company's innovations are expected to significantly increase data transfer speeds and energy efficiency, crucial for managing the growing computational demands of AI models. The fresh capital will also support the manufacturing and deployment of these chips in partner data centers and expand its workforce. Lightmatter's advancements reflect a broader transition towards light-based computing solutions that could redefine data center capabilities.