Luminar Technologies Inc. has agreed to sell its photonics business to Quantum Computing Inc. in an all-cash transaction valued at $110 million, as the lidar maker restructures its operations and sharpens its strategic focus.
Under the deal, Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) will acquire Luminar Semiconductor Inc. (LSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Luminar, the companies said. LSI develops advanced photonic components and optical systems used in sensing and high-reliability applications. The acquisition is expected to strengthen QCi’s capabilities in integrated photonics and quantum optics, areas that are drawing growing interest as demand rises for high-performance optical technologies.
The transaction comes as Luminar, which is best known for its lidar systems used in autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems, seeks to streamline its business amid financial pressures. In a separate announcement, Luminar said it has initiated voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. LSI is not part of the bankruptcy filing and will continue to operate in the ordinary course of business.
For QCi, the acquisition adds a mature photonics platform with established engineering talent and customer relationships. The company focuses on photonics-driven technologies for advanced sensing and quantum applications, and sees LSI as a way to accelerate product development and expand its addressable markets.
Paul Ricci, chief executive officer of Luminar, said the deal places LSI with an owner whose strategic priorities are closely aligned with its technology roadmap. He said QCi’s focus on optical systems and chip-scale innovation would allow the unit to broaden its customer base and invest in markets where long-term demand for high-reliability photonics is increasing.
Yuping Huang, chief executive officer of Quantum Computing Inc., said the combination would allow the company to move quickly to scale LSI’s existing business while integrating it into QCi’s broader quantum photonics strategy. He said the two companies share a common vision for advancing photonics technologies and commercializing them at scale.
LSI is expected to maintain all existing customer commitments following the transaction, with both companies emphasizing continuity of service and long-term support for partners and clients.
Because LSI is a subsidiary of Luminar, the sale will be subject to approval by the bankruptcy court through a Section 363 sale process. The companies said they expect to receive court approval by the end of January 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. If approved, the deal would provide Luminar with a significant infusion of cash while allowing QCi to deepen its position in the fast-evolving photonics and quantum technology landscape.
