Funding round
Ayar Labs Series A
Ayar Labs, which works in optical i/o technology development in San Jose, raised $24M in a Series A round announced on 7 Nov 2018, led by Playground. 4 firms took part. It is Ayar Labs' second venture round on record; the one before was a Seed in Aug 2016.
$24M
Amount raised
Not disclosed
Post-money valuation
4
Investors
1 lead
Valuation
What this round says about the price
Ayar Labs did not disclose a valuation in this round. It came 27 months after Ayar Labs' Seed. It is 2.8% of the $847M Ayar Labs has raised in the venture rounds on record. Ayar Labs raised again 24 months later: a Series B round of $35M in Nov 2020. Its next priced round, a Series D in Dec 2024, valued it at $1.00B.
Ayar Labs' funding rounds
Ayar Labs has 6 venture rounds on record and 1 other deal. This one is highlighted.
- Seed 1 Aug 2016 $2.5M
- Series A this round 7 Nov 2018, led by Playground $24M
- Debt not a venture round 1 Apr 2019 $3.0M
- Series B 5 Nov 2020, led by Downing Ventures and BlueSky Capital $35M
- Series C 1 Apr 2022, led by Boardman Bay $130M
- Series D 11 Dec 2024, led by Advent International and Light Street Capital $155M$1.00B post-money
- Series E 3 Mar 2026, led by Neuberger Berman $500M$3.75B post-money
Investors
Who put money in
Playground led the round with 3 other firms.
Lead investor
- backs 51 venture-backed companies new investor
Also in the round
- Intel Capital backs 239 venture-backed companies new investor
- Globalfoundries new investor
- Founders Fund backs 368 venture-backed companies new investor
Use of proceeds
What the money is for
According to the announcement, the money goes to product development.
- Product development
Comparable rounds
How it compares
26 Series A rounds in Electronical Components Manufacturing within a year either side disclosed an amount; the median was $13M, and this round was 1.9 times the median. The closest in time, other companies' Series A rounds in Electronical Components Manufacturing:
| Company | Announced | Amount | Post-money | Led by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronical Components Manufacturing | 5 Nov 2018 | $12M | not disclosed | Roadmap Capital |
| Electronical Components Manufacturing | 12 Nov 2018 | $9.0M | not disclosed | DCVC |
| Electronical Components Manufacturing | 8 Nov 2018 | $4.0M | not disclosed | Faurecia |
| Electronical Components Manufacturing | 24 Oct 2018 | $29M | not disclosed | not named |
| Electronical Components Manufacturing | 4 Dec 2018 | $10M | not disclosed | SquareOne and Shenzhen Capital Group |
| Electronical Components Manufacturing | 16 Jan 2019 | $14M | not disclosed | Boeing HorizonX Ventures |
| Electronical Components Manufacturing | 23 Jan 2019 | $8.2M | not disclosed | Anzu Partners |
| Lightmatter Electronical Components Manufacturing | 25 Feb 2019 | $22M | not disclosed | GV |
Questions
Frequently asked
How much did Ayar Labs raise in its Series A round?
Ayar Labs raised $24M in its Series A round, announced in Nov 2018.
Who led Ayar Labs' Series A round?
Playground led it, with Intel Capital, Globalfoundries and Founders Fund.
What was Ayar Labs' valuation at the Series A round?
It was not disclosed.
How does it compare with other Series A rounds in Electronical Components Manufacturing?
26 Series A rounds in Electronical Components Manufacturing within a year either side disclosed an amount; the median was $13M, and this round was 1.9 times the median.
Did Ayar Labs raise again after this round?
Yes: a Series B round in Nov 2020 of $35M.