Photonium

Overview

Photonium is an AI-powered optical consulting and software company [1][2] based in New York City, NY, USA [4]. Founded as part of the Y Combinator Spring 2025 batch [5], the company builds software to automate optical system design [3]. Photonium's platform is designed to assist optics experts through intelligent tooling aimed at reducing costs and accelerating delivery timelines [3]. The company's software addresses the full optical design workflow, including optimization, verification, sourcing, and prototyping [3]. Its applications span multiple industries, including augmented and virtual reality, quantum computing, biotechnology, metrology, chip fabrication, and LiDAR systems [3]. As of the Y Combinator directory listing, Photonium maintains active status [6] with a team of five members [7].

Photonium is building software to automate optical system design. We supercharge optics experts with intelligent tooling to reduce costs and deliver faster. We handle the full design stack — from optimization, verification, sourcing, to prototyping — for AR/VR, quantum, biotech, metrology/chip fab, LiDAR, and more. [5] [9]

New York City, NY, USA [6]

Y Combinator's directory lists the company location as New York City, NY, USA. [13]

Growth & traction

count: 5 [2]

Y Combinator lists a team size of 5. [11]