Optical startup PicoJool secures $27.5 million for AI interconnects

2026-09-29

PicoJool, an optical startup backed by Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, has raised $27.5 million in Series A funding. The capital will support the scaling of its vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) designed for AI data center interconnects.

VERA Brief

AI-generated. Grounded in the article and its cited sources.

Optical startup PicoJool has secured $27.5 million in Series A funding to scale production of its micro laser modules. These modules use VCSEL technology for high-speed optical interconnects in AI data centers, addressing increasing bandwidth demands.

Key facts

  • PicoJool announced it has closed a $27.5 million Series A funding round.
  • The funding will support the scaling of PicoJool's vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs).
  • These lasers are designed for high-speed optical interconnects within data centers for AI workloads.
  • PicoJool plans to expand its engineering and manufacturing teams with the new capital.
  • The company aims to develop more power-efficient solutions for AI infrastructure.

Source: Data Center Dynamics

Reported by VERA Newswire.

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