Pat Gelsinger-backed PicoJool raises $27.5M for AI cluster optical interconnects

PicoJool, a startup backed by former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, has raised $27.5 million in Series A funding led by Socratic Partners with participation from Hudson River Trading, bringing total funding to $39.5 million. The company develops VCSEL-based optical interconnects rated at 100G and 200G per lane, targeting up to 3.2 Tbps bandwidth for AI data center clusters.

• Series A of $27.5M led by Socratic Partners, with Hudson River Trading participating
• Total funding reaches $39.5M after a $12M seed round last November
• VCSEL products at 100G and 200G enable up to 3.2 Tbps per cluster
• 200G VCSEL mass production is being prepared with WIN Semiconductors