MoneyJuly 29, 2026via SiliconAngle
Optical interconnect startup Eliyan raises $145M in funding to solve the AI chip cluster connectivity crunch
Why it matters
Optical interconnect is becoming a critical bottleneck in the AI buildout. A $1B valuation for connectivity tech signals that solving cluster bandwidth — not just raw compute — is now venture-scale priority.
Key signals
- Eliyan raises $145M Series C
- Valuation: $1B (unicorn status)
- Led by Seligman Ventures
- Cisco Ventures and Lumentum co-investors
- Focus: optical interconnect for AI chip clusters
- Problem: AI chip cluster connectivity bottleneck
The hook
$145M. Eliyan just hit unicorn status solving the one problem nobody can ignore: connecting AI chips fast enough.
Silicon Valley-based chip interconnect startup Eliyan Corp.’s valuation has increased to $1 billion after it closed on a $145 million Series C funding round today. Seligman Ventures led the round, with Cisco Ventures and Lumentum also backing the newly minted unicorn. Eliyan says the round validates…