News: Optoelectronics
13 November 2025
NUBURU and Tekne forge renewed partnership
NUBURU Inc of Centennial, CO, USA — which was founded in 2015 and developed and previously manufactured high-power industrial blue lasers — has updated its strategic alliance with Tekne S.p.A. (a provider of integrated electronic warfare and cyber capabilities in military vehicles). The companies, along with Tekne’s shareholders, signed a new letter of agreement on 10 November, superseding their previous understanding and establishing a renewed strategic and industrial partnership. This agreement will be implemented by NUBURU via its specialized subsidiary Nuburu Defense LLC, which is focused on delivering laser-based solutions for defense, security and critical infrastructure applications.
The cornerstone of this expanded collaboration will be the establishment of a ‘Network Contract’ (Contratto di Rete) under Italian law by 30 November. This framework is designed to foster a stable and lasting partnership by pooling resources and expertise, facilitating cooperation without immediately forming a new legal entity.
“This updated agreement with Tekne marks a pivotal moment for Nuburu as we quickly expand our footprint in the global defense and security market,” says NUBURU’s executive chairman & co-CEO Alessandro Zamboni. “Our enhanced partnership, underscored by a substantial financial commitment and strategic go-to-market initiatives, positions us to deliver unparalleled solutions and create significant value for our stakeholders and clients worldwide,” he believes.
Key aspects of the renewed partnership include:
- Facilitating Strategic and Industrial Cooperation: Both parties reaffirmed their shared interest in a long-term partnership within the defense and security sector. NUBURU views this cooperation as central to its global ‘defense & security’ project, actively pursuing accreditation with Italian governmental entities.
- Joint Go-to-Market Strategies:
- NUBURU will secure exclusive distribution rights for Tekne’s products and solutions.
- NATO, MENA, and APAC: The companies will collaborate on promoting and executing individual orders, potentially through joint ventures with local entities, sharing all phases from design to delivery.
- Italy: NUBURU will pursue qualification as a new defense operator in Italy, jointly studying and proposing NUBURU’s products to Tekne’s Italian clients, in particular the solutions offered by the new joint venture with Maddox Defense Inc aimed at developing, manufacturing and deploying military drones for NATO customers and commercial/civilian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications. Separately, Tekne will adopt NUBURU’s operational resilience solutions to be provided by Orbit.
- Sharing Critical Assets and Capabilities: Tekne will contribute its know-how, personnel and Italian production/operational facilities, particularly for local production/assembly requirements. NUBURU will provide necessary guarantees, acquire existing/future project credits, cover initial design costs, and potentially establish regional production sites for international markets.
- Innovation and Project Co-investment: The ‘Contratto di Rete’ will enable joint work on specific projects related to technological innovation, R&D and internationalization, with NUBURU committed to contributing to these strategic initiatives.
- Financial Strengthening and Support for Tekne: NUBURU has committed €15m in financial support to strengthen Tekne's working capital and net financial position. This includes:
- €2m by using the Inventory Monetization platform powered by Supply@ME Capital Plc on which NUBURU made a strategic controlling-interest investment;
- €13m as a convertible shareholder loan, conditional on NUBURU simultaneously acquiring a 2.9% equity stake in Tekne. The potential conversion of this loan, and the future path to achieving a controlling interest in Tekne, will also be influenced by the stated interest of the Italian government in investing in Tekne, as conveyed by Tekne’s representatives.
NUBURU says that this comprehensive agreement solidifies its strategic direction, significantly bolstering its capabilities and market reach in the critical defense and security sectors globally.
Therefore, it will submit a comprehensive ‘Golden Power’ notification to the Italian Government by year-end, covering its strategic cooperation and investment in Tekne, as well as the anticipated joint venture with Maddox Defense Inc for drone development, both of which fall under Italy’s regulations for strategically important defense and security initiatives.
NUBURU completes first phase of Orbit acquisition
NUBURU hits first milestone in Tekne acquisition with initial stake and launch of US JV
