Photonics startups in North America
There are 629 Photonics startups in North America which include IonQ, PsiQuantum, Ciena, Applied Optoelectronics, Acacia. Out of these, 428 startups are funded, with 267 having secured Series A+ funding, and 9 achieving unicorn status.
Over the past 10 years, an average of 9 new companies have been launched annually. Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Cornell University.
Here is the list of top Photonics startups in North America
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1. IonQ
Provider of cloud and trapped ion technology-based universal quantum computers. It provides users with a company that offers quantum computer that traps individual ionized ytterbium atoms in a 3D space and uses lasers for computation purposes.
Key facts about IonQ
- Founded Year: 2015
- Location: College Park (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $86M
- Investors: Google Ventures, New Enterprise Associates and 23 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series B, Jun 16, 2020, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 76/100 What is this?
2. PsiQuantum
Developer of photon-based universal quantum computers. It uses photonic technology to develop error-corrected general-purpose quantum computers. It has applications in drug discovery, personalized medicine, artificial intelligence, and materials sciences.
Key facts about PsiQuantum
- Founded Year: 2015
- Location: Palo Alto (United States)
- Stage: Series E
- Total Funding till date: $2.32B
- Investors: BlackRock, Queensland Government and 33 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series E, Sep 10, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 74/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 19 Competitors
3. Ciena
Cloud-based platform offering network management software. It provides solutions that help in networking planning and management of the infrastructure throughout the life cycle. Its optical technology portfolio consists of WDM solutions and solutions for the photonic layer.
Key facts about Ciena
- Founded Year: 1992
- Location: Hanover (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Investors: Bessemer Venture Partners, Rho Capital Partners and 12 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Mar 2008, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 74/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 5 of 6,677 Competitors
AOI is a manufacturer of fiber-optic networking products. It serves various markets such as cable television broadband, fiber-to-the-home, and internet data centers. It designs and manufactures various optical communications products employing their own vertical integration strategy from laser chips, components, subassemblies, and modules. It designs, manufactures, and integrates analog and digital lasers using a proprietary Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) fabrication process.
Key facts about Applied Optoelectronics
- Founded Year: 1997
- Location: Sugar Land (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $90.5M
- Investors: GRC SinoGreen, Harbinger Venture Capital and 5 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Conventional Debt, Mar 05, 2019, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 71/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 14 of 1,036 Competitors
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5. Acacia
Acacia Communications is a provider of high-speed coherent optical interconnect products. Its products include a series of low-power coherent digital signal processors and silicon photonic integrated circuits integrated into families of optical interconnect modules with transmission speeds ranging from 40 to 400 gigabits per second for use in long-haul, metro, and inter-data center markets.
Key facts about Acacia
- Founded Year: 2009
- Location: Maynard (United States)
- Stage: Acquired
- Total Funding till date: $20M
- Investors: Summit Partners, Commonwealth Capital Ventures and 2 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series A, May 15, 2013, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 70/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 26 Competitors
