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PicoJool

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Cost-effective optical connectivity solutions for AI and Cloud

Palo Alto, United StatesFounded 2024Semiconductors

Valuation $100–250M Last recorded · 2026

Headcount <100 Current team size

Total funding $10–50M Disclosed equity funding

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About PicoJool

PicoJool is a Palo Alto deep-tech company building optical connectivity for AI and cloud data centers, founded in 2024 by photonics innovator Al Yuen (50+ patents; prior work on Active Optical Cables and QSFP). It develops high-bandwidth Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and optical modules — including 200G and 50G microVCSEL products and the Terapod form factor — aimed at making optical links as cost-effective and manufacturable as copper for 800G, 1.6T and beyond. R&D and operations span the United States and Taiwan, with foundry partners such as WIN Semiconductor. After emerging from stealth in November 2025 with $12 million led by Playground Global (Pat Gelsinger), PicoJool raised a $27.5 million Series A on 24 September 2026 led by Socratic Partners with Hudson River Trading, bringing total funding to $39.5 million to expand U.S. and Taiwan teams and commercialise chip-to-module products for hyperscalers. Sources: Business Wire / FinancialContent 24 Sep 2026; picojool.com.

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At a glance

Status: Operational
Founded: 2024
Headquarters: Palo Alto, United States
Employees: 3
Open positions: None listed
Dealroom signal: 54.0/100
Industry: Semiconductors
Sector: Semiconductors, Core AI, Photonics Tech, Silicon Photonics, AI Computing Infrastructure, DT and LS, science-based
Technology: Artificial Intelligence, Hardware, Deep Tech
Business model: Manufacturing
Client focus: b2b
Links: Website LinkedIn

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Funding history

1 recorded event

Company financing events and reported valuations.

Deal type	Date	Amount	Valuation	Investors	Source
SEED✓Equity / VC	Nov 2025	$12M	$48M	Playground Global	↗

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Growth signals

PicoJool website traffic

Latest recorded traffic for PicoJool is 210 monthly website visits. PicoJool's team declined 25% over the past year.

Latest monthly visits210 1-year team growth-25%

Monthly website visitsJun 2026–Jun 2026

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