How to Invest in Lightmatter Stock in 2024
Lightmatter is a cutting-edge technology company focused on revolutionizing computing through photonic technology. Founded by three MIT alumni, Lightmatter develops photonic chips that use light, rather than electricity, to perform calculations. This approach promises to significantly increase computing speed and energy efficiency, addressing critical challenges in the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence (AI). With a valuation of $1.2 billion as of December 2023, Lightmatter is positioned as a leader in the next generation of computing technology.
How to Buy Lightmatter Stock
As a private company, Lightmatter does not trade on public stock exchanges and lacks a stock symbol. However, accredited investors can purchase shares through platforms like Hiive and EquityZen, which facilitate investments in private companies.
Accreditation Requirements
To qualify as an accredited investor, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- An individual annual income of $200,000 or a joint income of $300,000.
- A net worth exceeding $1,000,000, excluding the primary residence.
- Status as a qualifying financial professional.
On platforms like Hiive and EquityZen, investors can browse listings of Lightmatter stock, negotiate prices, or accept asking prices set by sellers, who may be current or former employees, venture capitalists, or angel investors.
Can Retail Investors Buy Lightmatter Stock?
Retail investors cannot currently purchase Lightmatter stock while the company remains private. Although Lightmatter has not announced any plans for an initial public offering (IPO), the company’s growth and investor interest suggest that an IPO could be a possibility in the future.
Lightmatter’s Growth and Market Position
Lightmatter is pioneering the use of photonic computing to address the limitations of traditional electronic chips, which are reaching their physical limits in terms of speed and efficiency. The company’s products, such as the Envise chip and Passage interconnect, are designed to enhance AI workloads by providing high bandwidth and low latency data transfer. This technology is crucial for the development of advanced AI models, which require significant computational power.
Funding and Valuation
In December 2023, Lightmatter raised $155 million in a Series C-2 funding round led by GV (formerly Google Ventures) and Viking Global Investors, bringing its total funding to over $420 million and valuing the company at $1.2 billion. This funding supports Lightmatter’s mission to expand its engineering team and accelerate product development.
Founders and Company Background
Lightmatter was founded by Nicholas Harris, Darius Bunandar, and Thomas Graham. Nicholas Harris, the CEO, previously worked at Micron Technology and pursued a PhD in photonic quantum computing at MIT. The co-founders launched Lightmatter after winning the 2017 MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition, leveraging their expertise in photonics to create a new paradigm in computing.
FAQs About Investing in Lightmatter
What is Lightmatter?
Lightmatter is a technology company that develops photonic chips, which use light instead of electricity to perform calculations, enhancing speed and energy efficiency for AI applications.
How can I invest in Lightmatter before it goes public?
Accredited investors can purchase shares through platforms like Hiive and EquityZen, which offer pre-IPO stock in private companies.
When is Lightmatter expected to go public?
Lightmatter has not announced any plans for an IPO, but its growth and investor interest suggest that it could go public in the future.
What are the risks of investing in private companies like Lightmatter?
Investing in private companies involves risks such as limited liquidity, market volatility, and the uncertainty of an IPO timeline.
Who are the major investors in Lightmatter?
Major investors include GV (Google Ventures), Viking Global Investors, and other venture capital firms.