The Lidar Business Saga Continues: Luminar’s $22 Million Bidder and the Road Ahead
As the tech world waits with bated breath, Luminar’s lidar business has just received a $22 million bid from Quantum Computing Inc. But will this be the final act in this complex drama, or is there still more to the story?
You may recall that Luminar filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection back in December, and since then, it’s been trying to offload some of its assets to stay afloat. The lidar business, in particular, has been a key focus for the company, and this latest bid is just the latest development in a long and winding road.
So, who is Quantum Computing Inc., and what’s their story? Well, the company has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years. Founded in 2001 as a business selling ink-jet cartridges, it’s since expanded into various areas, including beverage manufacturing and optic technology development. But with a recent income of just $384,000, it’s not exactly swimming in cash.
Luminar’s lidar business, on the other hand, has been a rollercoaster ride. Founded by Austin Russell, the company’s market cap peaked at a whopping $11 billion in 2021. However, things started to go awry when major automakers like Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Polestar pulled out of deals to buy Luminar’s lidar sensors. And now, here we are, with this latest bid on the table.
But will Quantum Computing Inc.’s $22 million bid be enough to seal the deal? Luminar has until Monday to receive higher offers, and it’s not clear how many other bidders are still in the running. If no better offers come in, Quantum Computing Inc.’s bid would be the winner.
It’s been a wild ride for Luminar, to say the least. So, what does this latest development mean for the company’s future? Will it mark the beginning of a new chapter, or is this just the latest in a long line of setbacks?
Stay tuned for more updates on this story, and don’t miss our upcoming TechCrunch event in San Francisco on October 13-15, 2026!
**Source:** [Luminar lines up $22 million bidder for its lidar business](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/12/luminar-lines-up-22-million-bidder-for-its-lidar-business/)
