By Susan Olalere 
Egyptian semiconductor startup InfiniLink has raised $10 million in seed funding to accelerate the commercialization of its Silicon Photonics-based optical transceiver technology, setting a bold precedent for Africa’s emerging role in deep-tech innovation.
With backing from global semiconductor giant MediaTek, Saudi Arabia’s Sukna Capital Ventures, and Egyptian investors Egypt Ventures and Empire Angels, InfiniLink is positioning itself as a key player in solving one of AI’s biggest infrastructure problems: data transfer speed and energy efficiency.
Optimizing AI Infrastructure from Africa to the World
As artificial intelligence workloads grow more complex, modern data centres are under pressure to deliver higher bandwidth and lower energy consumption. InfiniLink’s solution—Silicon Photonics integrated optical transceiver chiplets (iOTC)—replaces conventional electrical interconnects with high-speed optical alternatives.
“This strategic funding will fuel our efforts to commercialize technology that tackles the bandwidth and energy bottlenecks in today’s AI infrastructure,”
– Ahmed Aboul-Ella, CEO of InfiniLink
The startup’s technology enables both pluggable transceiver modules and co-packaged optical engines, critical for the next generation of high-performance computing (HPC) and AI-driven data centres.
Why Silicon Photonics Matters for Africa’s Tech Future
Silicon Photonics is a breakthrough technology that integrates optical components into semiconductor chips, enabling faster and more efficient data transmission by using light instead of electrical signals. As the world moves toward AI and edge computing, the demand for low-latency, energy-efficient connectivity solutions is surging.
Africa’s participation in this space, through startups like InfiniLink, signals a paradigm shift. Instead of being passive consumers of hardware, African innovators are becoming contributors to the global semiconductor value chain.
The startup is also strategically located. Egypt’s increasing investment in AI, cloud computing, and semiconductors, combined with rising interest from MENA-based VCs, makes it fertile ground for deep-tech ventures.
Backed by MediaTek, Built for Global Scale
MediaTek’s involvement is especially significant. As a top global fabless chipmaker, the Taiwanese company’s backing provides more than capital—it brings credibility, technical insight, and potential global scalability.
“Collaborating with MediaTek will be instrumental in advancing our vision for cutting-edge optical connectivity solutions,”
– Ahmed Aboul-Ella
This partnership highlights a growing trend where global chipmakers look to emerging markets for innovation and collaboration, especially in sectors like AI infrastructure where demand is outpacing traditional solutions.
Africa’s Semiconductor Ambitions Get Real
The global chip industry is still grappling with supply chain disruptions, rising geopolitical tensions, and AI-driven compute demand. In this environment, InfiniLink’s emergence is more than a startup success story—it’s a signal that Africa can become a meaningful player in semiconductor innovation.
As AI continues to reshape industries—from healthcare to logistics—the need for advanced interconnects will only intensify. InfiniLink’s innovations could allow Africa to shape the future of this transformation from within.
With plans to expand its R&D efforts and build more strategic partnerships, the company is well-positioned to deliver cutting-edge AI connectivity solutions from the heart of Cairo to the world.
“We are just getting started,”
– Ahmed Aboul-Ella
OpeOluwa Okudero
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