News: Optoelectronics
20 January 2026
NUBURU activates global defense execution platform through strategic alliance with Tekne
NUBURU Inc of Centennial, CO, USA — which was founded in 2015 and developed and previously manufactured high-power industrial blue lasers — has announced a significant advancement in its strategic partnership with Tekne S.p.A., following the execution of (i) a comprehensive industrial and commercial network contract (contratto di rete) through NUBURU’s defense subsidiary Nuburu Defense LLC, (ii) a €13m shareholder convertible loan, and (iii) the completion of an initial 2.9% equity investment in Tekne.
These agreements represent the full operational and economic activation of the strategic framework previously disclosed in November and December and are expected to generate revenues for NUBURU beginning in fiscal year 2026, while positioning the firm toward its long-term objective of acquiring a controlling interest in Tekne, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
Collectively, these agreements mark NUBURU’s transition from strategic positioning to revenue-generating execution, establishing a global operating framework designed to deliver program-level defense and dual-use revenues beginning in 2026.
Immediate 2026 revenue visibility through executed network contract
The executed network contract establishes a structured, multi-jurisdictional industrial alliance covering the Americas, NATO countries, MENA, APAC, and Italy, and governs the joint execution of ad-hoc defense and dual-use projects with defined economics and revenue-sharing mechanisms.
Importantly, the revenue streams generated under the network contract are independent of NUBURU’s current equity ownership in Tekne and are instead linked to project execution, financial and operational support, go-to-market activities, and performance-based participation.
The network contract already identifies initial projects exceeding €10m in contracted value, with deliveries and commercial execution scheduled throughout 2026, supporting NUBURU’s transition toward recurring and program-based defense revenues.
2026 revenue drivers (program-level overview)
APAC – Bangladesh Program — Support for Tekne’s production and delivery of defense vehicles under an existing international contract. NUBURU participates through management fees, financial-support economics, and margin participation linked to production milestones.
NATO – Ukraine Program — Establishment of an operational and commercial platform for electronic warfare systems and specialized vehicles, structured under joint-execution and profit-participation models.
MENA – UAE Pilot and Follow-On Programs — Demonstration, commercialization and potential scale-up of Tekne platforms across the Gulf region, with NUBURU participating through production-linked margins and profit-sharing arrangements.
Americas – United States — Exclusive commercialization and distribution of Tekne products through Nuburu Defense, generating distribution economics and program-level participation.
Italy – Integrated Defense and Dual-Use Solutions — Joint offerings combining Tekne platforms with NUBURU’s UAV, advanced manufacturing, and operational-resilience technologies, possibly including software solutions delivered through Orbit S.r.l..
Management expects these program-level economics to scale over time through repeat orders, follow-on programs, and expanded regional adoption.
Strategic alignment and capital-efficient equity participation
In parallel with the execution of the network contract, NUBURU has become a direct shareholder of Tekne, acquiring 2.9% of Tekne’s share capital as part of a broader strategic alignment between the two industrial partners. This equity participation was structured through the issuance of a subordinated, interest-free convertible instrument to Tekne’s current majority shareholder, rather than a cash payment, reflecting the industrial and long-term nature of the partnership. The conversion of such instrument, if and when permitted, is based on a fixed conversion price for NUBURU common stock of US$0.25 per share, which underscores the alignment of interests and confidence in NUBURU’s long-term equity value.
Contextually with this equity acquisition, NUBURU also provided €13m to Tekne in the form of a shareholder convertible loan, as previously disclosed in the firm’s SEC filings, to support Tekne’s industrial development and the execution of defense programs under the strategic alliance. Upon conversion of the shareholder convertible loan, subject to Italian Government Golden Power approvals, NUBURU’s ownership in Tekne would increase to about 27.9% (representing the aggregation of the initial 2.9% equity interest and an additional approximately 25% stake).
The transaction reflects an agreed equity valuation of Tekne of about US$60m, implying a consideration of about US$1.74m for the 2.9% equity interest. Together, the initial equity investment and the shareholder convertible loan establish the foundational ownership and operating framework to pursue a path toward a controlling interest in Tekne, consistent with the strategic objectives originally envisaged by the parties, while remaining subject to regulatory approvals and the potential involvement in Tekne of additional strategic and industrial partners.
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