Cailabs, a French deep-tech company which designs, manufactures and sells photonic solutions, has raised €26 million to support the rapid expansion of the company’s laser communications and optical ground station business in a Series C funding round.
A cutting-edge proposition for the future of telecommunications
Cailabs works in different areas with cutting-edge technology, by combining their shaping technology with peak engineering. This EIC-funded company offers solutions for laser machining processes, space optical communications, ground-based telecommunications and defence systems. Their products are used in a wide range of sectors, from healthcare and education to defence, cybersecurity, and space.
Since radio frequency networks are reaching their limits in bandwidth, spectrum and security, new architectures, such as laser communication, are required to reach all populations and support increase in traffic. Based on its unique patented technology, Cailabs has consolidated terminal subsystems for laser communication, demonstrated performance on the ground through strong turbulence, and validated the relevance of its solution with early adopters. Leveraging on their previously developed knowledge and experience, the company’s innovative optical ground station design will make it possible to establish those connections reliably and affordably.
Expanding Cailabs’ business with a new funding round
With the prospects of expanding its innovative optical ground station design, Cailabs was able to attract a new group of investors and close a Series C funding round amounting to €26 million. The funding round was led by Luxembourg-based growth stage investor NewSpace Capital with the support of existing investors: Definvest (specialized equity fund of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, managed by Bpifrance in consultation with the French Defense Procurement Agency), Starquest, Innovacom, Safran Corporate Venture and Crédit Agricole Ille et Vilaine Expansion.
We had a chance of hearing from Jean-François Morizur, co-founder and CEO of Cailabs, about this funding round: “This investment provides Cailabs with the adequate resources to solidify its leadership in the domain of optical communication through the atmosphere. As an increasing number of satellites is being launched, radio spectrum is becoming ever more crowded, and optical communication is required to deliver all the promises of this new space era.”. Furthermore, Jean-François detailed how the company will apply the investment: “Cailabs first steps after this funding round include hiring 26 new employees to support the growth of its technical, commercial and operational teams. We will also accelerate our development of cutting-edge optical ground stations and other optical terminals through increased investment in our product roadmap.”.
Cailabs received blended finance from the European Innovation Council to industrialise its laser communication terminal into a mature product that will be integrated worldwide inside ground station, drones, airplanes, ships, and any vehicle below the stratosphere.
