About
John 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.
Founder at EnlightraYC W22
Intro paths
YC
John went through Y Combinator (Winter 2022) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
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In turn, John can intro founders to Enlightra's investors below.
Enlightra's investors · 6
Asymmetry VenturesRichmond · $125K – $500K checks · since 2025Pegasus Tech VenturesSan Jose · since 2025Protocol LabsSan Francisco · since 2025Runa CapitalSofia · $500K – $5M checks · since 2025TRAC (Third Round Analytics Capital)San Francisco · $250K – $2M checksY CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K checks · since 2022
Co-founders at Enlightra
MK
Maxim KarpovFounder
Experience
- EnlightraCo-Founder & Co-CEOcurrent2021 — presentLausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
- MicroR SystemsChief Executive Officer - Founder2018 — 2021Lausanne, Switzerland
- EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne)Research Scientist2014 — 2018Lausanne, Switzerland
- EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne)Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow2012 — 2014Lausanne Switzerland
- National Institute of Standards and TechnologyPostdoctoral Researcher2010 — 2012Boulder, CO USA
- National Institute of Standards and TechnologyDoctoral Student2002 — 2010Boulder, CO USA
- JILAResearch Assistant2001 — 2002Boulder, CO USA
- JILAResearch Assistant1997 — 2000Boulder, CO USA
Skills & more
Laser Physics20Physics19Entrepreneurship1Optics13Spectroscopy10Nanotechnology7Science3Mathematical Modeling2Characterization1Simulations1Start-upsProject Management
+11 more
MatlabMathematicaLaTeXPhotonicsLaserQuantum OpticsNonlinear OpticsNanofabricationOptoelectronicsInterferometryOptical EngineeringFrom John's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is John Jost?
- John 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.
- Where does John Jost work?
- John Jost is Founder of Enlightra.
- What companies did John Jost found?
- John Jost founded Enlightra.
- Where did John Jost go to school?
- John Jost studied at University of Colorado Boulder (Ph. D., Physics - Quantum and Atomic); University of Colorado Boulder (B.S, Engineering Physics).
Founder mafias
Y Combinator mafia8,773
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Sam AltmanPresidentFounded Tools for Humanity +3Jessica LivingstonCo-founderFounded Y CombinatorAlexis OhanianYC Summer 2005Founded RedditFred EhrsamYC Summer 2012Founded Nudge +1Matt HuangYC Winter 2011Founded HotspotsTrae StephensYC Winter 2022Founded Pursuit +1
+ 8,766 more
University of Colorado Boulder mafia29
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Steve WozniakHonorary PhD.Founded AppleDave MerkelBSFounded Expel +1Chris RustMaster of Engineering (MEng)Founded Tessera LabsAidan GoldNeuroscienceFounded eGenesisKelly GraziadeiB.S.Founded Perplexity FundMatanya HorowitzBachelor of ScienceFounded AMP Robotics
+ 22 more
Same school
Also attended University of Colorado Boulder178
Steve WozniakCo-founder of AppleChris RustCo-Founder and Partner at Clear VenturesSydney EberhardtInvestor at True VenturesBob ThomasPartner at OxxKirsten SuddathInvestor at Next Frontier CapitalJeff RoseAdvisor at AI Capital
+ 172 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Enlightra1
Also worked at EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne)57
Raquel UrtasunFounder & CEO of WaabiBouraux LeopoldAI & Data Engineer at Newfund CapitalChristoph FreiPartner, Head of Energy at Emerald Technology Ventures AgYannick RitschelInvestor at Backbone VenturesChristian JaagBoard Member at CV VCGaurav SantAdvisor, Director, UCLA Institute for Carbon Management at Overture Climate
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+ 51 more
Also worked at National Institute of Standards and Technology10
Aaron VanDevenderAdvisor at Long Journey VenturesKevin SimmonsGeneral Partner at LoftyInc CapitalKathy PhamInvestor at Blue Tulip VenturesGali BalerPartner at CU Healthcare Innovation FundAshok ShrivastavaSVP, Chief Data Officer at Synapse PartnersGreg RamiFounder at Goldbridge
+ 4 more
