DLA Piper advises Qatar Investment Authority in investment aimed at advancing AI infrastructure

DLA Piper advised Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, on its investment in Ayar Labs, a Silicon Valley-based semiconductor company pioneering co-packaged optics (CPO) to revolutionize data transfer in AI and high-performance computing.

QIA joined other investors in the US$500 million Series E funding round, bringing Ayar Labs’ valuation to US$3.75 billion. The new capital will accelerate Ayar Labs’ deployment of its CPO solution, replacing traditional electrical copper wiring with fiber-optic connections.

“AI demand continues to drive significant investment across the entire digital infrastructure ecosystem,” said Dr. Ehab Elsonbaty, the DLA Piper Partner who co-led the deal team. “QIA’s investment in Ayar Labs reflects a clear strategic focus on foundational technologies that will power the future of AI and high-performance computing.”

“Advising investors such as QIA on complex, high-growth technology investments demands deep sector insight and seamless cross border execution,” said Charles Torres, Vice Chair of the firm’s Emerging Growth and Venture Capital practice, who co-led the deal team. “That depth of experience was critical in supporting QIA’s investment in Ayar Labs, a company addressing one of the most important infrastructure challenges facing AI at scale.”

In addition to Elsonbaty and Torres (both New York), the deal team included Partners Andrew Kreisberg (San Diego), Christine Daya (Washington, DC), and Associates Taylor Mielnicki, Marcos Taiana, James Lee (all New York), Matthew Larson, Mazzen Shalaby (both Washington, DC), and Joshua Lingerfelt (Raleigh).

DLA Piper’s Emerging Growth and Venture Capital practice includes more than 200 lawyers who provide strategic counsel to emerging companies and venture capital firms in high-growth industries, including technology, healthcare, life sciences, and financial services. Over the last three years, DLA Piper has completed more than 2,100 financings globally, totaling more than US$80 billion. The firm is ranked among the most active global law firms for venture capital deal volume, according to PitchBook.