Mesh Optical Technologies announced that it has raised over $50 million in funding, led by Thrive Capital, with participation from other major investors, to accelerate the scalable manufacturing of high-performance optical systems for next-generation computing and communications infrastructure.
The Los Angeles–based startup, founded by former SpaceX and Intel engineers, is focused on rethinking how optical systems are built. The company argues that while optical photons represent the most efficient means of data transfer physics allows, most optical components today are still assembled manually and in low volumes. According to Mesh, this legacy manufacturing model cannot support the rapidly growing demand for millions of optical links required by modern AI clusters and data-intensive data centers.
Mesh’s first product, the Alpha C1 optical transceiver, is designed to convert electrical signals into light at speeds of up to 1.6 terabits per second. The company says the transceiver delivers improvements in power efficiency, latency, and reliability, addressing the constraints facing AI workloads and power-limited infrastructure environments.
A key differentiator highlighted in the announcement is the Alpha C1’s optical engine, which is manufactured using fast, repeatable flip-chip die bonding technology similar to the packaging processes used in modern processors. Mesh says this approach enables high-volume, scalable production while maintaining performance and yield.
In its post, the company emphasized the importance of tightly integrating photonic system design with manufacturing processes. Rather than treating high-volume production as a downstream consideration, Mesh aims to design devices and production lines together to accelerate feedback loops across device physics, packaging, automation, and yield optimization.
The newly raised capital will be used to scale production of the Alpha C1 and further build out Mesh’s integrated optical manufacturing capabilities as the company works toward what it describes as a future infrastructure built around light.
KEY QUOTE:
“Mesh has raised over $50 million led by Thrive Capital and other major investors to scale production of Alpha C1.” “Manufacturing optical transceivers at scale is the beginning of our journey. The next century of infrastructure will be optical.” “Photons will unlock the next evolution of human technology.”
Mesh Optical Technologies in a company blog post
