News: Optoelectronics
2 December 2025
NUBURU agrees to acquire Italian laser specialist LYOCON
NUBURU Inc of Centennial, CO, USA — which was founded in 2015 and developed and previously manufactured high-power industrial blue lasers — has signed binding heads of terms to acquire Lyocon S.r.l., an Italian laser-engineering and photonics company specializing in advanced laser sources, precision optical systems, and customized laser platforms for industrial, medical and high-reliability applications.
The total consideration for the acquisition is $2m (comprising $0.5m in cash at closing, and $1.5m via a convertible note payable in shares or cash). Governance will consist of a three-member board (two appointed by NUBURU, and one by the sellers). The founders Paola Zanzola and Alessandro Sala will remain in management roles and serve as technical and operational advisors across the NUBURU group. The acquisition is expected to be completed by end-December 2025.
Structured through Nuburu Subsidiary Inc, the acquisition expands NUBURU’s European engineering footprint and strengthens the firm’s transformation into a vertically integrated Defense & Security Technology Hub spanning lasers, RF systems, mobility platforms, and software-enabled defense architectures. The transaction also deepens the technical foundation supporting NUBURU’s ongoing strategic program with Tekne S.p.A.
Lyocon’s capabilities
Founded in 2014 and drawing on nearly two decades of combined photonics and laser system engineering experience, Lyocon is recognized for its ability to design, develop and produce complete laser systems, not merely components.
Lyocon’s technical capabilities include:
- engineering and manufacturing of direct-diode and DPSS laser sources;
- wavelengths spanning visible (including 450nm blue) to near-IR;
- power ranges from a few watts to multi-kilowatt output;
- in-house design and production of optics, mechanics, electronics, and embedded control software;
- ISO-5 cleanroom for optical assembly and photonics integration;
- dedicated labs for electronics production, thermal management, and system testing;
- turnkey customization for OEM and high-reliability industrial, medical, and specialized applications.
Notably, Lyocon’s blue-wavelength systems (around 450nm) deliver performance advantages of up to 10x higher absorption over infrared lasers for metals and specialized materials — aligning directly with NUBURU’s core blue-laser IP and accelerating the company’s ability to deploy next-generation products across industrial automation, precision manufacturing, and defense sectors.
Strategic rationale
NUBURU says that the acquisition of Lyocon strengthens its position as a comprehensive defense-tech and industrial-laser provider by adding:
- expanded European engineering, R&D and production capacity;
- vertical integration of laser, photonics, RF and advanced optics programs;
- accelerated timelines for next-generation laser and defense-grade subsystems;
- stronger access to EU and NATO-aligned supply chains;
- a broader application portfolio spanning defense, industrial, medical, and critical infrastructure markets.
Lyocon’s ability to rapidly customize full-stack laser systems also provides NUBURU with an immediate European manufacturing beachhead capable of supporting government and enterprise customers requiring secure, high-reliability production.
“Finalizing this binding agreement with Lyocon represents a decisive step in expanding our European photonics and laser-system capabilities,” says NUBURU’s executive chairman & co-CEO Alessandro Zamboni. “Lyocon’s engineering excellence, cleanroom manufacturing, and multi-wavelength laser portfolio fit directly into NUBURU’s next-generation industrial and defense applications. Combined with our advancing partnership with Tekne, this acquisition strengthens our position as we continue building a transatlantic Defense & Security Hub,” he adds.
“Lyocon is a highly specialized photonics company with proven full-system development capabilities,” notes NUBURU’s co-CEO Dario Barisoni. “Their proficiency in blue and near-infrared lasers, advanced optics, electronics, and system integration accelerates our roadmap materially,” he adds.
“NUBURU’s vision aligns perfectly with the evolution of our technology and our ambitions for the future,” comment Lyocon’s founders Paola Zanzola and Alessandro Sala. “Joining NUBURU provides Lyocon with a global platform for scaling our engineering capabilities and expanding applications of our high-precision laser and photonics systems in both industrial and defense markets.”
Update on Tekne strategic partnership & November milestones
NUBURU has also reaffirmed continued progress under its strategic partnership with Tekne. On 19 November, NUBURU executed the first €2m tranche of the €15m Tekne financial program.
Also, NUBURU and Tekne continue to make progress toward finalizing the Italian ‘Network Contract’ (Contratto di Rete), which was originally targeted for completion by 30 November, with both parties now advancing the final documentation. The Network Contract will define a structured collaboration framework comprising: (i) joint R&D programs; (ii) cooperative routes-to-market; (iii) shared-services integration; (iv) defense-sector operational alignment; and (v) EU/NATO supply chain coordination.
NUBURU executes first tranche of Tekne financial program
