Copper indium sulfide quantum dots (CIS QDs) and their core–shell analogues (CIS@ZnS QDs) were functionalized with pyrene chromophores via a dihydrolipoamide bifunctional binding moiety: UV excitation of the pyrene chromophores resulted in sensitized emission of the CIS core because of an efficient energy transfer process; the core–shell hybrid system exhibits a 50% increased brightness when excited at 345 nm.