Hyperlume, an Ottawa-based startup specializing in high-bandwidth, low-latency, and energy-efficient interconnects for AI data centers and high-performance computing, has secured a $17.8 million seed round to commercialize its breakthrough optical technology.
The oversubscribed funding round was led by BDC’s Deep Tech Venture Fund and ArcTern Ventures, with participation from MUUS Climate Partners, SOSV, and Intel Capital. A strategic investment also came from LG Technology Ventures.
Founded in 2022 by Mohsen Asad and Hossein Fariborzi, Hyperlume aims to overcome connectivity bottlenecks in accelerated computing and AI data centers. The company’s proprietary technology leverages ultra-fast microLEDs and ultra-low power circuitry, providing significant improvements in performance, cost, and energy efficiency compared to traditional copper interconnects.
“This funding represents a significant step in Hyperlume’s journey as we continue to push the boundaries of optical communication and deliver transformative solutions for the AI and semiconductor industries,” said Mohsen Asad, Co-founder and CEO of Hyperlume. “We are grateful for the trust and support of our investors who share our vision of a more efficient and sustainable future for computing.”
As AI models grow beyond a trillion parameters and computing clusters surpass 100,000 GPUs, the limitations of traditional interconnect technology are becoming a major bottleneck. Hyperlume’s optical interconnects are designed to provide a more efficient alternative, reducing energy consumption while significantly increasing bandwidth. With this latest investment, the company plans to scale up development, expand its engineering and R&D teams, and strengthen partnerships with major chip manufacturers and AI infrastructure providers. It will also begin preparing for large-scale production of its technology to meet growing industry demand for next-generation 800G and 1.6T interconnects.
Investors highlighted the growing energy challenges in AI data centers and the need for more efficient networking solutions. Charles Lespérance, Partner at BDC Capital’s Deep Tech Venture Fund, described Hyperlume’s innovation as a “transformative leap forward in energy-efficient AI and semiconductor infrastructure.”
Murray McCaig, Managing Partner at ArcTern Ventures, pointed to the environmental impact of data centers, warning that carbon emissions from the sector could more than double by 2030. He emphasized that Hyperlume’s ultra-low-power microLED interconnect technology not only reduces energy usage but also delivers exceptional bandwidth performance.
Intel Capital’s Srini Ananth echoed these sentiments, calling Hyperlume’s technology “a significant step forward for the semiconductor industry” as AI’s energy demands continue to grow.
With this new backing, Hyperlume is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI infrastructure, ensuring faster, more efficient, and sustainable computing solutions.