Fundraising Fox

Enlightra

YC W22

Lausanne, CH · Founded 2021 · 22 employees · 8 known investors

Enlightra develops photonic optical interconnects using comb laser technology to enable high-bandwidth, low-power data transfer for data centers and AI infrastructure. The company's multi-wavelength laser engine scales to terabit-class links while improving energy efficiency compared to traditional copper solutions.

Advanced ManufacturingData & InfrastructureDeep TechHardwareHard TechSwitzerlandEurope

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W22)

Enlightra was founded in 2021 by John Jost and Maxim Karpov.

JJJohn Jost
John JostinCo-Founder & Co-CEOJohn Jost holds a physics background with extensive experience in quantum, atomic, and optical physics, including collaborative work with Nobel Prize-winning researchers. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and currently leads Enlightra.
MKMaxim Karpov
Maxim KarpovinCo-CEO / Co-FounderMaxim Karpov holds a PhD in Physics and has over eight years of experience in photonics and laser technologies, with published research in peer-reviewed journals. He has managed international research projects and led fundraising efforts.

Investors · 8

TRAC (Third Round Analytics Capital)San Francisco · $250K – $2Mvia Fred Campbell · inferred
Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K
Asymmetry VenturesreportedRichmond · $125K – $500K
Pegasus Tech VenturesreportedSan Jose
Protocol LabsreportedSan Francisco
Runa CapitalreportedSofia · $500K – $5M

Also in the syndicate · 2

Halo LabsTRAC VC

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements

$15M disclosed across 1 round · 2025

Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.

In the news

Enlightra raises USD 15 million to build energy-efficient laser linksggba.swiss · Dec 2025Enlightra Raises $15M in Fundingfinsmes.com · Dec 2025YC-backed Enlightra raises $15M to swap copper cables for light in GPU clusters — TFNtechfundingnews.com · Dec 2025Enlightra exits stealth with $15M to power energy-efficient AI data centre lasers - Tech.eutech.eu · Dec 2025Enlightra Raises $15M to Advance Laser Interconnects for AI and Quantum Systemsthequantuminsider.com · Dec 2025

Frequently asked questions

What does Enlightra do?
Enlightra develops photonic optical interconnects using comb laser technology to enable high-bandwidth, low-power data transfer for data centers and AI infrastructure. The company's multi-wavelength laser engine scales to terabit-class links while improving energy efficiency compared to traditional copper solutions.
Who founded Enlightra?
Enlightra was founded by John Jost, Maxim Karpov in 2021.
Who are Enlightra's investors?
Enlightra's investors include TRAC (Third Round Analytics Capital), Y Combinator, Asymmetry Ventures, Pegasus Tech Ventures, Protocol Labs, Runa Capital.
How much funding has Enlightra raised?
Enlightra has disclosed $15M raised across 1 round.
Where is Enlightra headquartered?
Enlightra is headquartered in Lausanne, CH.