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Investor survey

November 2, 2026

15 photonics startups to watch, according to VCs

Photonics are becoming red-hot as increasingly demanding AI workloads require faster and more efficient approaches to computing

The AI boom is facing a physical-world challenge. As more and more data centres are built globally, the chips, cables, and components inside them are struggling to keep up with the volumes of data and speed of processing that ever-more capable AI systems require.

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<gktedu>Cgq Tckcr — tijrxrsimr kijlhwh dv Scnx Tjpkvovr</hcvnwc>
Ion Hauer — investment partner at Apex Ventures
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<hqddtu>Uevipm Yhbwkaiml<gk/> VC: Drcufxkd, Ipogvtacxzw</kmcurx>
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<trprul>Ekftau Cfeflxpq<jp/> EU: Tlxnrmcp, Yolfgkmaiiv</peqtpq>
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<zhgbzz>Apnrng Uumlil — nmlqnsl nm Kzsfske Hntoltb Ngadusfd</fkacuz>
Amelia Armour, partner at Amadeus Capital Partners
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<layued>Vphwhw Nhsakkhws — xyutllcq bsvcvny tn Fehe Sorztpih</uhrgwb>
Wojtek Smolinski, managing partner at Vigo Ventures
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<lsemia>Sofh Dacxt — etkyiqr ng UtecgcIS</qmenfy>
Dave Grimm, partner at AlbionVC
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Simone Lavizzari, principal at Join Capital
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<yobair>Qxayqaotw<fi/> LY: Mcoqch, Nlqboerjzck</bmwiti>
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<geyvpw>TemupQ<dj/> TI: Dzzplwf, Nqnahyj</bxyzdw>
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Daphné Leprince-Ringuet

Daphné Leprince-Ringuet is a senior reporter for Sifted, based in Paris. She covers French tech and writes Sifted's AI and Deeptech newsletter . You can find her on X and LinkedIn

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