China Structural Reform Fund backs silicon photonics maker Hyper Photonix

What's the deal? Hyper PhotonixDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a Hangzhou-based silicon photonics company, has raised a Series B extension round with a strategic investment from the China Structural Reform FundDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. The fund, managed by Chengtong FundDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, confirmed the deal on September 22.

What's the endgame? Hyper Photonix develops silicon photonics chips and optical modules. It says its 800G and 1.6T chips and modules are ready for mass production, and its self-developed silicon photonics modulator chip can serve mainstream optical modules from 400G to 1.6T.

Why now? Demand for high-speed optical modules is climbing as data centres scale up to support AI workloads, putting a premium on domestic suppliers that can deliver at volume.

The signal: The backing of a state-managed fund like the China Structural Reform Fund points to Beijing's push to build homegrown capacity in photonics and semiconductors, a sector where supply chain independence has become a strategic priority.

Image credit: IBM Research