For decades, Moore’s Law and Dennard scaling drove the advancement of computers, making them faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient. However, as Nicholas Harris explains, this era is coming to an end: transistor-based technology is approaching its physical limits.
The future of computing demands a new solution, and that solution is light. By harnessing light to process and transmit data, Lightmatter is enabling a faster, more efficient, and scalable approach—laying the foundation for the next generation of computing.
On the latest episode of For Starters, I sat down with Nicholas Harris, Co-founder & CEO of Lightmatter, to explore how his company is transforming AI infrastructure and unlocking the future of computing.
For 60 years, Moore’s Law and Dennard scaling drove the exponential advancement of computers, making them faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient. But as Nick Harris explains, the era of transistor-based technology has reached its physical limits. The future of computing demands a new solution, and that solution is light. Nick founded Lightmatter in 2017 to fully transform AI data center infrastructure. By harnessing light to process and transmit data, Lightmatter is laying the foundation for the next generation of computing. The company invented the world’s first 3D-stacked photonics engine and was most recently valued at $4.4 billion. In this episode, Nick shares why he chose to leave academia after receiving his PhD, how his go-to-market strategy hinged on building real friendships and understanding his customers’ internal roadmaps, and why he believes that having an obsession is a gift.
Here are 5 takeaways
Go-to-Market:
Nick underscores the importance of staying deeply connected to your target market—in Lightmatter’s case, hyperscalers developing AI compute units and semiconductor companies. Consistently sharing progress, understanding their roadmaps, and listening to customer needs ensures your product aligns with real-world demand. In Nick’s words, “business is about people.”
Academia vs. Entrepreneurship:
Nick’s PhD experience at MIT laid the ideal groundwork for entrepreneurship, teaching him to navigate uncertainty and articulate complex ideas with clarity—skills that proved essential for securing funding and attracting top talent. His eventual decision to leave academia was driven by his desire to maximize impact. Scaling his vision required a team, funding, and infrastructure beyond what academia could provide.
The Future of Supercomputing & AI:
Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta are pouring billions into building data centers so large they consume as much energy as entire cities. As energy demands skyrocket, the focus will turn to connectivity technology—systems capable of efficiently linking millions of GPUs so they can function as one unified supercomputer.
Preparing for the Future:
Nick believes preparation starts with experimentation. Just as early internet adopters unlocked opportunities no one saw coming, companies and individuals need to embrace AI now: test its capabilities, identify strengths and weaknesses, and uncover where it can automate or enhance workflows.
Obsession is a Gift:
Nick credits his success to an early and “irrational” obsession with computers. Nick spent his childhood immersed in books on programming and computer architecture. His takeaway? Not everyone is born with an obsession, and if you are, it’s a gift. When you find that deep curiosity, lean into it.
With over $850 million raised and a $4.4 billion valuation.