Photonics, sustainability, and AI chips draw investment; 157 companies raised over $2.4 billion.
Silicon carbide, RISC-V, and optical interconnects win funding; 143 companies raise $3.5 billion.
Investors pump $2.8B into 123 companies. Topping the list are photonic chips and a foundry to build them, and silicon qubits.
Investors funnel $4.2 billion into startups; AI hardware, automotive draw the most attention.