Programmable Optics Startup Lumotive Secures Additional Funding from Amazon and ITHCA Group

Redmond, Washington-based programmable optics startup Lumotive has recently announced the addition of strategic backers to its Series B funding round. The company has reopened its Series B round to welcome Amazon, through its Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund, and ITHCA Group, the technology investment arm of Oman’s sovereign wealth fund, as new investors.

With the inclusion of these new investors, Lumotive’s Series B round now totals $59 million, up from the initial $45 million raised in February. This brings the total venture capital raised by the startup to over $100 million.

Lumotive CEO, Sam Heidari, stated that the demand for participation in the funding round exceeded their expectations. While the company had initially turned away some investors, the decision to reopen the round for ITHCA Group and Amazon made sense strategically.

Heidari emphasized the strategic value of Amazon’s involvement, stating, “We do appreciate the relationship more than the money.” Lumotive’s technology revolves around Light Control Metasurface solid-state chips, which consist of nano-scale pixels that can be electronically controlled to manipulate light. These chips have a wide range of applications, from autonomous vehicles to optical switching in data centers.

Describing the technology, Heidari explained, “It is a paradigm shift of being able to manipulate light electronically. Being able to shape the light, to stir the light, to form the beams the way you want it, to focus the light electronically. We are able to, basically, do what mirrors and motors do today, to work around the lights.”

Founded in 2018, Lumotive began selling its chips in 2024 and has maintained a focused approach to its customer base. Heidari noted that the additional funding will support the company’s expansion in sales and marketing, as well as further research and development efforts.

Regarding the technology’s maturity, Heidari stated, “It is not a science project anymore. It’s a proven technology in the field. We knew that there is a big demand for it. Not only can it work, it can work in a deployable fashion.”