The funding round was led by the European Investment Bank (EIB). Note that the investment combines a €37 million of its own financing from the EIB and a €20 million investment from other parties.
These include the following: Definvest and Fonds Innovation Defense (Armed Forces ministry and Bpifrance), NewSpace Capital, the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, Starquest Capital, and CAIVE (Crédit Agricole Ille-et-Vilaine Expansion).
The Rennes-based company processes data from space using laser beams instead of radio waves.
“This funding round reflects our solid fundamentals and the confidence investors have in our strategic vision. It enables us to scale up industrial capabilities and prepare for the next stage of growth” said Jean-François Morizur, Co-founder and CEO of Cailabs.
Cailabs funding
The funding will be used to scale up production and strengthening its supply chain, says Cailabs.
It has the goal of producing up to 50 Optical Ground Stations (OGS) annually by 2027 (it currently has 10 OGS already under contract). Additionally, the company is also seeking to expand its international footprint, building on a larger U.S. office in Virginia.
Cailabs is also looking at expanding its product offering. For example, turnkey faster solutions, transportable Optical Ground Stations, and more orbit options.
MPLC
As well as the speed of transmitting data at up to 10 gigabits/sec, the company highlights the lasers are impossible to intercept or jam. This increases security for government and business communications.
The company’s Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) technology addresses the challenge of the Earth’s atmosphere for optical communication to space.
Cailabs says its works like adaptive glasses that constantly adjust to keep the laser signal strong. This is to avoid laser beams wobbling and breaking up as they pass through moving air.
SES
The company has also just announced a deal with Luxembourg-bases SES to test its optical ground stations.
SES says it is looking to boost data transmission speeds and provide more secure links. As well as alleviate congestion in crowded radio frequency bands.
See also: European Commission conducts New Symphonie for broadband constellation
