About
Maxim 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.
Founder at EnlightraYC W22
Intro paths
YC
Maxim 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, Maxim 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
JJ
John JostFounder
Experience
- EnlightraCo-CEO / Co-Foundercurrent2021 — presentRenens, Vaud, Switzerland
- CSEMSNF BRIDGE Fellow, Postdoc2021 — 2022Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Ecole polytechnique fédérale de LausannePostdoctoral Research Assistant2020 — 2021Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
- Ecole polytechnique fédérale de LausannePHD Student2015 — 2020Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
- Ecole polytechnique fédérale de LausanneTrainee2014 — 2015Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
- Kotel'nikov IREEngineer2011 — 2014Russia, Moscow
- California Institute of TechnologyVisiting Student Researcher2013USA, CA
- Chalmers University of TechnologyVisiting Scientist2013Sweden, Goteborg
- FermilabResearch Trainee2012USA, IL
Skills & more
Languages English · German · Русский
- Innosuisse start-up training: Business Concept — Innosuisse
From Maxim's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Maxim Karpov?
- Maxim 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.
- Where does Maxim Karpov work?
- Maxim Karpov is Founder of Enlightra.
- What companies did Maxim Karpov found?
- Maxim Karpov founded Enlightra.
- Where did Maxim Karpov go to school?
- Maxim Karpov studied at Y Combinator; EPFL (Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Physics); Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University) (MIPT) (Master of Science (MSс), Applied Physics and Mathematics).
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
Y Combinator mafia4,716
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ryan SheaEntrepreneurshipFounded StacksTarek MansourFounded KalshiSuhail DoshiEating beans & riceFounded Playground +1Subomi OluwalanaW22Founded ConvoyDarius "Bubs" MonsefS19Founded Sightbox +3Matthew ScholzFounded Oisin Biotechnologies +3
+ 4,709 more
EPFL mafia55
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Raquel UrtasunDoctor of Philosophy - PhDFounded WaabiSteve AnaviMaster of Science (MSc)Founded QontoRavi JainInternshipFounded Genylabs +1Veronica Gambillara FonckPhDFounded LimmaTech Biologics +1Anna VybornovaMaster's degreeFounded Polari Group +1Toni RosinolBachelor of ScienceFounded Stack AI +1
+ 48 more
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University) (MIPT) mafia7
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended Y Combinator2,000
Tarek MansourCo-founder & CEO of KalshiSuhail DoshiFounder of Mixpanel; founder of ParticleSubomi OluwalanaCo-founder & CEO of ConvoyMaroof AhmedFounder at Octopus VenturesJustin SwartPartner at Bitkraft Esports VenturesCollin WallaceGeneral Partner at Lobby Capital
+ 1,994 more
Also attended EPFL104
Raquel UrtasunFounder & CEO of WaabiSteve AnaviCo-founder & President of QontoBouraux LeopoldAI & Data Engineer at Newfund CapitalJan-Olivier FillolsSenior Managing Director at Marlin Equity PartnersChristoph FreiPartner, Head of Energy at Emerald Technology Ventures AgArzu TekirGeneral Partner at Treeo VC
+ 98 more
Also attended Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University) (MIPT)23
Nik StoronskyCo-founder & CEO of RevolutDmitry ChikhachevGeneral Partner & Co-founder at Runa CapitalEugene ChernyavskyData Lead at Runa CapitalEldar KhamitovPartner, Portfolio Development at Polymorphic CapitalDaniel ShaposhnikovManaging Partner at Phystech VenturesKonstantin VinogradovGeneral Partner at Runa Capital
+ 17 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Enlightra1
Also worked at CSEM2
Also worked at Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne57
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 California Institute of Technology77
Alex BlaniaCo-founder & CEO of Tools for HumanityHaomiao HuangFounding Partner at Matter Venture PartnersConnor CooleyVenture Partner at Electric Feel Ventures LlcHelen McBrideOperating Partner at BOLD LongevityAlex HartzGeneral Partner at Shine CapitalDeb RayCo-founder and Chief AI Officer, InferenceCloud.ai at SignalFire
+ 71 more