Cailabs: 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Cailabs is a pioneering French deep-tech company specializing in the mastery and shaping of laser light. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Rennes, France, Cailabs has emerged as a trailblazer in photonics, developing innovative laser-based technologies that serve industries ranging from telecommunications and industrial laser processing to the rapidly growing space sector. The company’s proprietary Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) technology forms the backbone of its groundbreaking products, enabling applications such as high-capacity laser communications and enhanced industrial processing. As Cailabs embarks on a phase of accelerated growth, backed by significant investment and expanding international presence, this article reveals the most critical and intriguing facets of its journey and technological impact.

1. Origins and Founding Technology

Cailabs’ story begins with a breakthrough invention: the Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) technology developed in 2010 by Jean-François Morizur and Nicolas Treps at Kastler Brossel Laboratory and the Australian National University. This technology allows the shaping and manipulation of laser light in ways that unlock new capabilities across multiple applications. Officially founded in 2013 with Guillaume Labroille as co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, the company has since leveraged the MPLC to develop and commercialize a versatile range of photonic solutions, cementing its place at the cutting edge of laser technology innovation.

2. Leadership and Vision

Cailabs is helmed by a team of visionary leaders, including CEO and co-founder Jean-François Morizur and CTO Guillaume Labroille. Under their guidance, the company adheres to core values centered on mastery, intellectual honesty, exploration, and creating a positive impact. This leadership philosophy not only drives technological excellence but also fosters a company culture devoted to continuous learning, rigorous testing of ideas, and innovation that addresses real-world challenges. These principles have helped Cailabs navigate technological frontiers and establish strong client partnerships globally.

3. Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) Technology Explained

At the heart of Cailabs’ product portfolio lies MPLC, a sophisticated technique that manipulates the spatial properties of laser beams through multiple phase planes. This method enables the company to customize laser light beams to specific shapes and functionalities, which is crucial for enhancing fiber optic communications, optimizing industrial laser machining, and improving laser communications between ground stations and satellites. MPLC’s ability to control light precisely improves efficiency and enables novel applications previously unattainable with conventional laser technologies.

4. Advancements in Optical Ground Stations for Space Communications

Cailabs has rapidly become a leading provider of optical ground stations (OGS), devices that enable high-capacity laser communications between Earth and satellites. These stations are equipped to compensate for atmospheric turbulence, ensuring reliable, low-latency data transmission. Recently, Cailabs demonstrated strong success in deploying these stations, securing more than ten contracts worldwide. A major milestone in 2025 was raising €57 million in funding to scale production capacity to as many as 50 stations annually by 2027, reflecting strong market confidence and the growing demand for space-to-ground laser communication capabilities.

5. Impact on Telecommunications and Fiber Optic Networks

The company’s innovations extend to telecommunications, where their solutions enhance the data capacity and upgrade legacy fiber optic networks. Products based on MPLC technology have helped achieve record data transmission rates, such as a 10 petabit per second fiber capacity demonstrated in collaboration with the Japanese telecom operator KDDI. These advances support the continual evolution of global communications infrastructure, enabling faster internet speeds, greater bandwidth, and more reliable networks essential for modern digital economies.

6. Industrial Laser Applications and Partnerships

Cailabs also applies its expertise in laser beam shaping to industrial laser processing, benefiting sectors including automotive and electronics manufacturing. Notably, partnerships like the one with Precitec have focused on improving laser welding for e-mobility, addressing challenges associated with welding reflective and thermally conductive materials such as aluminum and copper. By optimizing laser interactions through tailored beam shapes, Cailabs’ technology improves welding quality and efficiency, contributing to advancements in sustainable vehicle manufacturing.

7. Strategic Global Expansion and Market Presence

Beyond its strong French roots, Cailabs has expanded its footprint internationally, opening offices in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Virginia, to support clients in the U.S., including defense and aerospace sectors. The company actively participates in industry forums worldwide, such as SPIE Sensors + Imaging and World Space Business Week, reflecting its strategy to integrate deeply into global photonics and space technology markets and to collaborate on cutting-edge initiatives.

8. Funding and Financial Growth

Cailabs has secured substantial funding to support its ambitious growth plans. The most recent and notable round in 2025 raised €57 million from prominent investors like the European Investment Bank, Bpifrance, NewSpace Capital, the European Innovation Council, and Starquest Capital. This capital injection is earmarked to expand manufacturing capabilities, innovate new product lines capable of data rates above 100 Gbps, and develop transportable optical ground stations, positioning Cailabs at the forefront of scalable laser communication infrastructure.

9. Technological Challenges and Innovation Culture

Developing advanced photonic solutions is highly complex, requiring precise control of light in various environments, including space and industrial settings. Cailabs embraces these challenges through a strong culture of exploration and intellectual honesty, encouraging experimentation and iteration. Their commitment to mastery and rigorous scientific approach ensures continuous improvement and adaptation, enabling the company to tackle real-world issues with innovative laser shaping solutions that optimize performance across sectors.

10. Future Prospects and Industry Influence

Looking ahead, Cailabs is poised to significantly influence the space communications industry as demand surges for satellite data transmission capacity and lower latency connections. The expansion of optical ground station manufacturing and the development of new products signal readiness to address emerging market needs, including servicing satellites in medium and geostationary orbits. Additionally, their technology’s applicability from industrial laser processing to telecommunications indicates broad potential to accelerate technological progress across multiple domains, heralding a future increasingly shaped by innovative uses of light.

Conclusion

Cailabs exemplifies the transformative power of light mastery through its pioneering advancements in photonics technology. From its innovative MPLC origins to its leadership in optical ground stations and industrial laser applications, the company continues to forge paths that enhance communication, manufacturing, and space technology sectors. As it scales its operations globally, fueled by significant investment and a dedicated culture of innovation, Cailabs stands at the vanguard of a future where laser light shapes how the world connects, communicates, and creates. How this light-driven revolution evolves may well redefine the boundaries of science and industry in the decades to come.