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Photonium

YC X25

New York City, US · Founded 2025 · 5 employees · Hiring · 10 known investors

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Photonium develops AI-assisted optical design software and consulting services for engineers designing lenses and optical systems. The platform automates design exploration and optimization workflows for applications in satellites, drones, AR/VR, quantum computing, and consumer electronics.

Also known as PhotonIQ

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareHardwareHard TechMachine LearningB2BManufacturingUnited States of AmericaAmerica / Canada

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (X25)

Photonium was founded in 2025 by Jennifer Song, Adam Mhatre, and Philip Johnston.

JSJennifer Song
Jennifer SongCo-Founder & CEOJennifer Song is a co-founder of Photonium with background in quantum computing research at Harvard, Stanford, and QuEra.
AMAdam Mhatre
Adam MhatreCo-founder, CTOAdam Mhatre is a co-founder of Photonium and studied computational physics at Stanford.
PJPhilip Johnston
Philip JohnstonFounder, CEO

Investors · 10

Transpose Platform Managementlisted by Transpose Platform ManagementSan Francisco

How we know: Transpose Platform Management's portfolio page · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

468 CapitalreportedBerlin

How we know: the VCSheet dataset · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Amino CapitalreportedPalo Alto · $100K – $10M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

BOND STreported

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Exit Venturesreported

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Mergus VenturesreportedSão Paulo · $100K – $1M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Rock Yard VenturesreportedBuena Park · $10K – $100K

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Soma CapitalreportedSacramento · $100K – $300K

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Ventioneers CapitalreportedOakville

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Related companies · 4

CircuitHubCircuitHub operates an automated electronics manufacturing facility with integrated software to help hardware companies prototype circuit boards and bring products to market faster. The platform serves companies building autonomous vehicles, satellites, robotics, and 3D printers.
Forge AutomationForge Automation manufactures custom metal parts on demand for mechanical engineers, with parts delivered within four days through an online CAD upload process. The company operates software-controlled factories to shorten typical lead times in the custom machining industry.
UltrasoniumUltrasonium is a company focused on materials science and advanced manufacturing, developing engineering systems.
Applied Electrodynamics, Inc.Applied Electrodynamics is building WaveSight, a hardware sensing product designed to see through walls and detect objects otherwise not visible. The company is developing consumer/industrial sensing hardware based on electrodynamics technology.

Companies working in the same space as Photonium.

Legal entities · 1

corporate structure
Photonium Inc.

In the news

Photonium: AI-Accelerated Optical Design Automation ⚛️ycombinator.com · May 2025

Frequently asked questions

What does Photonium do?
Photonium develops AI-assisted optical design software and consulting services for engineers designing lenses and optical systems. The platform automates design exploration and optimization workflows for applications in satellites, drones, AR/VR, quantum computing, and consumer electronics.
Who founded Photonium?
Photonium was founded by Jennifer Song, Adam Mhatre, Philip Johnston in 2025.
Who are Photonium's investors?
Photonium's investors include Y Combinator, Transpose Platform Management, 468 Capital, Amino Capital, BOND ST, Exit Ventures, Mergus Ventures, Rock Yard Ventures and 2 more.
Where is Photonium headquartered?
Photonium is headquartered in New York City, US.