Chorum raises $54.7 million

Chorum Technologies has raised $54.7 million in a fourth round of funding after pulling its IPO in March. Funding for the maker of optical chips, switches and components now totals $213.9 million. The Richardson, Texas-based company says the current capital will last about two years and be used toward expanding its customer base and product line. Chorum was one of the many optical start-ups such as WaveSplitter Technologies and Optical Micro Machines that had to pull its IPO after the technology industry, and the telecommunications sector in particular, went south. Chorum's investors included CenterPoint Ventures, Scudder-Kemper Investments, Star Ventures and Austin Ventures. The round was completed in September 2001.