The venture capital group has completed its investment in Niobium Optoelectronics.

Recently, Nanjing Innovation Investment Group (hereinafter referred to as "Innovation Investment Group") completed its investment in Jiangsu Ni'ao Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Ni'ao Optoelectronics"). The financing will help the company accelerate the construction and mass production process of its thin-film lithium niobate optoelectronic chip production line. This round of financing was led by Cornerstone Capital, with Yida Capital and Hechuang Capital participating, while existing investors Lida Capital, Chenfenghui Chuang Capital, and Nanjing Innovation Investment Group continued to increase their investment.

High-speed modulator optical chips can convert electrical signals into high-speed optical signals, making them an indispensable part of optical communication systems. Optical chips are the core components of optoelectronic devices, with application scenarios including telecommunications, data centers, industry, consumer electronics, and automotive fields. Currently, the domestic production rate of high-speed optical chips in China is very low. Three years ago, Ni'ao Optoelectronics was established in Nanjing, aiming to achieve breakthroughs in the domestic high-speed optical chip field. In three years, the company has grown from 9 people at its inception to nearly 100 today, with the core team mastering globally leading thin-film lithium niobate optical chip technology, and plans to establish the first large-scale production line for thin-film lithium niobate optoelectronic chips in the country within the year, achieving new breakthroughs in domestic high-speed optical chips. It is reported that Ni'ao Optoelectronics has initially established a complete 6-inch thin-film lithium niobate optoelectronic chip production line, with an expected monthly production capacity gradually ramping up to over 10,000 chips by 2023.

In April 2021, the Nanjing municipal science and technology innovation fund managed by the Innovation Investment Group participated in the angel round investment of Ni'ao Optoelectronics with 10 million yuan, not only investing early and timely but also promising that the founding team could repurchase at the original value after three years, which was a great help during the company's initial stage. In the first half of this year, Ni'ao Optoelectronics completed several hundred million yuan in Series A financing, and the municipal talent fund managed by the Innovation Investment Group continued to increase its investment by 10 million yuan to support the industrialization of domestic high-speed modulator chips in Nanjing.

Wang Shuli, general manager of the investment department of the Innovation Investment Group, introduced that the team of Ni'ao Optoelectronics is a rare resource in the country. Led by returning young scientist Professor Cai Xinlun in technology, and Cai Wenjie, who comes from the former Huawei management team, is responsible for the company's operations, which is a relatively perfect combination. The Innovation Investment Group has continuously been optimistic about the prospects of the thin-film lithium niobate industry and the potential of the Ni'ao Optoelectronics team since the company's establishment. This round of investment is also through the second phase of the municipal talent fund managed by them, hoping that Ni'ao Optoelectronics can become a leader in the new generation of optoelectronic chips.

Source: Nanjing Daily, Innovation Investment Group

Reviewed by: Xue Yao

Published by: You Yi