[News] World’s First AI Silicon Photonics Chip Listed Company Officially Goes Public
On April 28, Lightelligence—often described as the world’s first publicly listed AI silicon photonics chip listed company—debuted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The company issued 13,795,215 shares at HKD 183.2 each, raising HKD 2.53 billion. Net proceeds came to HKD 2.38 billion after listing expenses. Investor enthusiasm was immediate: shares opened at HKD 880, more than 380% above the offer price. By 11 a.m., the stock was trading at HKD 847.5, giving the company a market capitalization of HKD 77.94 billion.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Shanghai, Lightelligence focuses on hybrid photonic-electronic computing solutions. Its core products include near-packaged optics (NPO), co-packaged optics (CPO) and photonic computing accelerator cards, with applications spanning AI computing and data centers.
The company has raised multiple funding rounds since its foundation, drawing backing from a roster of major investors including Baidu, Tencent and China Mobile, among others. In September 2025, it secured more than 1.5 billion yuan in a Series C round led by several state-backed and strategic investors.
Financially, revenue remains at an early stage but is growing. The company reported revenue of CNY 38 million in 2023, CNY 60 million in 2024 and CNY106 million in 2025. Optical interconnect solutions—particularly its scale-up products—form the backbone of its business, contributing CNY 75.58 million in revenue in 2025.
Lightelligence said proceeds from the listing will be directed primarily toward research and development and technology upgrades. About 70% of the fund are earmarked for R&D over the next five years, split evenly between optical interconnect technologies—such as advanced silicon photonics design and high-speed transmission—and optical computing, including the development of next-generation hybrid photonic-electronic accelerator cards.
The listing underscores growing investor interest in silicon photonics as AI workloads strain the limits of conventional electronic interconnects, pushing the industry toward faster and more energy-efficient alternatives.
(Photo credit: Lightelligence)
