From Vision to Transformation: Apurva Jain Fuels Lumotive’s Global Growth and Drives Change in Canada

Apurva Jain's journey in optics began during his undergraduate studies at McGill University, spurred by a single transformative course that ignited his passion for light and optical technologies. Originally from India, he pursued a PhD in Florida, where he tackled various advanced topics including telecommunications, optical coherence tomography (OCT), head-mounted displays, holography, and high-power lasers. Despite his academic focus, Apurva was determined not to remain in academia; his goal was to commercialize innovations and bring technology to the public.

In 2012, as the optics industry started to bounce back from the recession, a chance encounter at a defense and security conference in Baltimore redirected his career. An unexpected offer led him to Avo Photonics, a modest design and prototyping firm in Pennsylvania. Over six years there, Apurva played a pivotal role in scaling the company from 16 to 200 employees, transitioning it from design to full production. This experience shaped his leadership skills and reinforced his desire to build impactful projects.

Eager to engage in startups, Apurva sought opportunities near the Canadian border, ultimately joining Lumotive in Seattle. This early-stage company was backed by Bill Gates and focused on a revolutionary optical semiconductor platform that had the potential to transform the optics field akin to the transistor's effect on computing. Lumotive aimed to innovate optical systems through the application of metasurfaces—nanostructures etched into silicon—enabling programmable, scalable optical semiconductors for applications in 3D sensing and optical communications.

Apurva's impact was significant as he launched Lumotive's Canadian office in Burnaby, BC. His decision stemmed from a mix of personal values and strategic insights, such as Canada's better immigration laws for families and a more affordable talent pool compared to Seattle. Within 18 months, this office evolved from an engineering services center to a revenue-generating hub, embracing Canadian intellectual property at its core.

The growth of Lumotive in Canada flourished through a collaboration with ventureLAB. Although Lumotive was not a typical startup, a visit sparked a partnership aimed at integrating into the Canadian ecosystem. ventureLAB facilitated building connections, identifying local use cases, and aligning with Canada’s semiconductor strategy. Apurva actively participated in the Hardware Catalyst Initiative, which provided Lumotive with support and partnerships to enhance its impact within national projects.

Lumotive's vision has expanded globally, now reaching the Gulf region to bolster local technological ambitions through partnerships. From Canada to Saudi Arabia, Apurva leads Lumotive’s charge in advancing optical systems, focusing on the technology's foundational role in future innovations.

Beyond his professional successes, Apurva also launched a social venture, CCoffee.ca, which emphasizes a dual mission of purpose and profit. Each pound of coffee sold funds a child's education for a month, operating on a self-sustaining model without relying on donations. Partnering with coffee farms in Indonesia and Brazil, CCoffee’s profits directly support long-term educational initiatives. In just six months, the initiative has committed to 1,800 months of education, equivalent to 150 years of schooling.

Apurva Jain embodies a blend of entrepreneurial spirit and social responsibility, demonstrating that building enduring and impactful ventures—whether in quantum optics or community-focused enterprises—can lead to lasting positive change.