Cailabs Secures $67M to Fuel Optical Ground Station Ramp-up
Cailabs has raised €57 million ($67 million) in funding that the company said it plans to put toward the production scale-up of up to 50 optical ground stations annually by 2027. The company also aims to advance next-generation turnkey laser communications solutions
“As the bank of the European Union, the EIB supports Cailabs’ investments in manufacturing capabilities and in research & development of its laser communication technologies,” said Ambroise Fayolle, vice president at the European Investment Bank, which led the financing. “The project is fully aligned with the EIB strategic priorities of security and defense, and technological innovation under its TechEU program.”
Cailabs already has more than 10 optical ground stations already under contract. The company recently established a new industrial platform capable of assembling and validating up to five stations in parallel. And earlier this year, Cailabs entered into a partnership with satellite communications (SATCOM) solutions and services provider DataPath Inc. to deploy a new class of transportable optical SATCOM terminals. The collaboration combines Cailabs’ advanced optical reassembling technology and optical ground stations with DataPath’s experience in deploying ruggedized, tactical SATCOM systems for U.S. and allied militaries.
Cailabs will additionally expand its international footprint, following the opening of a larger Washington, D.C.-area office last month, less than two years after establishing a Washington, D.C. location.
The round combines €37 million in financing from the EIB and €20 million in investment from Definvest and Fonds Innovation Defense (Armed Forces ministry and Bpifrance), NewSpace Capital, the European Innovation Council Fund, Starquest Capital, and Crédit Agricole Ille-et-Vilaine Expansion.
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Published: September 2025
BusinessfundingFiber Optics & CommunicationsLasersoptical communicationLaser communicationnetworkingCAILabsFranceEurope