Cailabs raises €57 million to expand laser communications and accelerate global expansion
French DeepTech expert Cailabs has raised €57 million in new funding to accelerate its industrial expansion and consolidate its position as a global leader in laser communications.
The financing was announced today in Rennes, led by the European Investment Bank (EIB), which contributed €37 million, as well as €20 million from investors, including Definvest and Fonds Innovation Defersition (France Department and BPIFRANCE), Newspaper Newspaper Capital, European Innovation Council Foundation, Starquest Capital, Crédite Recir-agricole-eare-eree-eree-ete-evil-evil-newspace Capital, Newspaper Capital-newspace Capital-
The deal is a “important milestone” that will allow the company to strengthen its supply chain, increase production and accelerate its international strategy, said Jean-François Morizur, co-founder and CEO of Cailabs.
“This funding round presents our solid fundamentals and investor confidence in our strategic vision. It enables us to expand industrial capacity and prepare for the next phase of growth.”
Founded in 2013, Cailabs designs and manufactures advanced photonic solutions across fields, including space, telecommunications, defense and industry. It has become one of the most advanced players in Europe, with more than 10 contracts at the Optical Ground Station (OGS).
The new financing will allow the company to have up to 50 OGS per year through 2027 and is backed by a new industrial platform that is able to assemble and verify up to five sites in parallel.
The company is also investing in its portfolio, including 100+Gbps laser communications solutions, transportable OGS and extended track selection, and expanding its footprint overseas. The company recently announced a larger U.S. office in the Virginia governor after signing a major overseas contract.
Cailabs’ technology has attracted not only its commercial potential, but also its interest in the strategic importance of Europe.
Ambroise Fayolle, EIB vice president, said: “Space technology is becoming increasingly important for civilian use and security and defense. With the EU Banking, EIB supports Cailabs’ manufacturing capabilities and R&D investments in manufacturing capabilities and laser communication technologies.
Other supporters have emphasized the sovereign implications of optical communication. Nicolas Berdou, investment director at Fonds Innovation Defence, described Cailabs’ solution as “the strategic importance of France’s sovereignty in defense and space”.
Daniel Biedermann, partner at Newspaper Capital, added that the shift to optical communications is “a significant growth in the space field with growing impacts on mission-critical applications and everyday life.”
Cailabs has become one of the first companies to take advantage of atmospheric turbulence compensation to enable fast, reliable and low-latency data links between space and ground networks.
The new funding will not only expand the technology globally, but it will also allow the company to strengthen its leadership in DeepTech as Europe strengthens its investment in space and defense technologies.
“Supporting disruptive innovators such as Cailabs is crucial to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness in DeepTech,” said Svetoslava Georgieva, chairman of the EIC Foundation.
Arnaud Delattre of Starquest Capital added: “Cailabs broke the U.S. market and outperformed local industry leaders. Continuing to support such a unique DeepTech Company is a powerless decision.”
