Optics11 Funding News- Optics11 Secures €17M To Boost Power Infrastructure Resilience In Europe

Europe’s power infrastructure is under growing pressure, facing problems like underwater sabotage and an aging network of high-voltage transformers. About 40% of Europe’s 90,000 transformers are past their life expectancy, and new ones won’t be ready until at least 2030. On top of that, underwater cables and offshore wind farms are seeing more security threats.

Optics11’s CEO, Paul Heiden, says these challenges need urgent and smart solutions.

Read Also - BASH Funding News- Dutch Startup BASH Gets €1.3M Funding For Events Platform

What sets Optics11 apart is its unique mix of high-tech sensors and smart software. Their system can spot and locate problems faster than most others, giving operators more time to react.

Because the sensors use fibre optics, they aren’t affected by electromagnetic interference, which makes them more reliable—especially in harsh environments. Their software also works in real time, helping to prevent costly breakdowns.

Investors in this round include FORWARD.one, SET Ventures, Join Capital, and Value Creation Capital.

“A secure, uninterrupted energy supply is the bedrock of a modern functioning society,” said Wouter Jonk, Managing Partner at energytech fund, SET Ventures.

“Ageing transformers and full order books mean rising outage risks and a need to extend the life of existing assets to reduce failure rates.

Optics11 does that, while reinforcing the integration of renewables into the grid. Simply put, they’re solving an urgent problem.”

“Optics11 has the kind of technical edge that creates long-term value,” said Robin van Boxsel, Partner at deeptech VC, FORWARD.one.

“It addresses a critical gap in grid and subsea infrastructure resilience.”

The Royal Netherlands Navy will use OptiArray in its new Orka-class submarines. This will greatly improve the submarines' navigation and defense systems.

OptiArray is small and uses very little power, which means the submarines can go on long missions without losing performance.

"Protecting Europe's critical infrastructure requires technology breakthroughs to ensure security and resilience. Optics11 is delivering a revolutionary subsea detection capability that Europe and NATO urgently need,” said Daniel Carew, a Partner at Join Capital.

About Optics11

Optics11 is an Amsterdam-based company, founded in 2011, that specializes in fiber optic sensing technology and solutions. They focus on developing early warning systems for applications like partial discharge detection in high voltage and medium voltage assets, as well as monitoring underwater infrastructure for sabotage.