MaKe | MaHui Member "Kunyou Photonics" Completes New Series C Funding Round to Accelerate Scaling of Wafer-Level Optical R&D and Manufacturing Capabilities

MaHui member Kunyou Photonics has announced the completion of a new Series C funding round. This round was co-led by Shanghai SDIC Pioneer Fund, a fund managed by Shanghai State-owned Capital Investment Co., and Fortera Capital (YuanChuang Future Fund), with participation from OrizaFoFs, TCL Ventures, Rongyi Investment, BOC Asset Management, and BOCOM Capital, among others. Source Code Capital participated in the company's Series B+ round in 2021.

Advanced photonic technologies have shown explosive potential and momentum in recent years across fields such as photonic AI, novel displays, and high-speed optical communications — the shift from electronics to photonics is accelerating. Wafer-level optics represents the cornerstone and platform technology for next-generation photonics. After nearly a decade of dedicated R&D, Kunyou Photonics has built a complete and advanced wafer-level optics IDM (integrated device manufacturer) closed-loop system, and in response to market demand, established a complementary and robust product portfolio.

Since 2019, Kunyou's micro-nano 3D vision product line has been supplying top-tier global smartphone manufacturers, with cumulative shipments reaching tens of millions of units. In recent years, the company has accelerated expansion into robotic vacuums, smart locks, drones, and other applications. Its micro-nano optical fiber product line began supplying leading domestic new energy vehicle LiDAR manufacturers in 2021, and has recently started expanding into high-speed optical modules.

The company's first mass-produced full-color AR diffractive waveguide, the Xiaoyao I, was unveiled in 2019. After years of intensive development, the AR waveguide product line now encompasses a rich portfolio including "Qiushui," "Xiaoyao," "Mengdie," "Fuyao," "Yingning," and "Yuzhang," comprehensively addressing customer needs across materials from resin to glass to silicon carbide, from monochrome to full-color, and from nanoimprint to photolithography etching processes. Notably, the latest-generation Yingning series photolithography-etched waveguides have been deeply integrated into products from internationally renowned internet companies and terminal brands, demonstrating strong demand and competitiveness. Meanwhile, Kunyou Photonics continues to push the boundaries of wafer-level optics toward more cutting-edge and future applications. Building on its existing wafer-level optics manufacturing capabilities, the company has begun R&D efforts in emerging fields such as photonic AI, optical chips, and optical neural networks. Wang Ting, Board Secretary of Kunyou Photonics, stated: "We sincerely thank our longstanding shareholders for their unwavering support over the years. With their backing, the company's RMB 500 million Shanghai Lingang R&D and production base has been successfully put into operation. Based on our firm confidence in industry development, our own capabilities and market position, and our resolute judgment on future technology roadmaps, and with the continued support of our shareholders and investors, the company will expand its investment by an additional RMB 1 billion to comprehensively upgrade and extend our R&D infrastructure and production capacity, fully embracing the next wave of technological advancement and delivering even better, more professional service to our customers."