Amsterdam-based deep-tech company Optics11 has raised €50 million in new equity funding from its existing investors to expand its fibre-optic sensing technology for defence and energy infrastructure.
The funding round includes participation from SET Ventures, FORWARD.one, Value Creation Capital and JOIN Capital. The latest investment brings the company's total funding to more than €100 million over the past 15 months, according to the company.
Optics11 develops advanced fibre-optic sensing systems that help detect underwater threats, monitor critical infrastructure and identify potential failures in high-voltage power grids.
Expanding Subsea Security Capabilities
One of Optics11's major focus areas is protecting underwater infrastructure, including subsea cables, pipelines and naval assets.
Its fibre-optic sensing systems use light-based technology to detect acoustic signals, vibrations and physical disturbances across underwater environments.
The company's OptiArray and OptiBarrier solutions are designed to provide continuous monitoring and early warnings of potential underwater threats.
The technology is particularly relevant as governments and defence organisations increase efforts to protect critical subsea infrastructure from sabotage, accidental damage and other security risks.
Strengthening Power Grid Monitoring
Alongside defence applications, Optics11 is developing sensing solutions for energy infrastructure.
Its technology can identify partial discharge events and other early indicators of potential failures in high-voltage electrical equipment, including transformers.
Early detection allows energy operators to identify developing problems, improve maintenance planning and reduce the risk of unexpected equipment failures.
As electricity demand increases and power infrastructure faces growing pressure, predictive monitoring technologies are becoming increasingly important.
Funding to Support Manufacturing and Global Expansion
Optics11 plans to use the new €50 million investment to increase manufacturing capacity and accelerate its international expansion.
The investment will help the company meet growing demand from defence organisations, energy operators and infrastructure providers.
The participation of existing investors also reflects continued confidence in the company's technology and its potential across critical infrastructure markets.
What This Means for the Defence and Energy Industries
Optics11's latest funding highlights the growing importance of advanced sensing technologies in protecting critical infrastructure.
From monitoring underwater assets to identifying weaknesses in power grids, fibre-optic sensing can provide continuous visibility into infrastructure that is difficult to inspect using conventional monitoring systems.
As governments and energy companies invest in infrastructure security and resilience, technologies that enable earlier threat detection and predictive maintenance could become increasingly important.
