Ayar Labs raised an additional $150 million, extending the $500 million Series E round it announced in March. The Silicon Valley startup is developing co-packaged optics (chip-integrated optical connections) that use fiber-optic cables to link AI chips while avoiding overheating issues associated with shorter copper cables. Backed by Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices and MediaTek, Ayar is working with others in the chip industry to bring the technology to market as early as 2028. The funding supported a new chip design center in Bengaluru, India, and is intended to help prepare its products by the end of next year. The company said products for customers ramping in 2028-2029 must be qualified for volume production by the end of 2027. Taiwanese cloud data-center equipment maker Wiwynn Corp joined Ayar's backers, taking the company's total funding raised this year to $650 million. Separately, Antero Peak Group at Artisan Partners led a $225 million secondary share purchase from early employees and investors, valuing Ayar at more than $5 billion.