Tekne Strategic Partnership, Orbit Control, Lyocon Full-Ownership Closing, and Maddox Defense JV Position Company for Multi-Domain Defense Growth

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 30, 2025-- NUBURU, Inc. (NYSE American: BURU), a global pioneer in high-performance blue laser technology, today provided a comprehensive update outlining multiple near-term strategic execution milestones expected to be achieved in January 2026. These milestones reflect continued progress across the Company’s previously announced defense platform expansion, financial strengthening initiatives, and transformation into an integrated Defense & Security Hub.

January 2026 Execution Milestones Update

Tekne Strategic Partnership – Network Contract, Equity Transfer, and Convertible Shareholder Loan

NUBURU confirms that Nuburu Defense LLC (“Nuburu Defense”), Tekne S.p.A. (“Tekne”), and Tekne’s shareholders are targeting early January 2026 for the execution of key agreements underpinning their previously announced strategic industrial collaboration, including the execution of a formal network contract (rete di imprese) governing joint industrial and commercial activities, and the transfer of a 2.9% equity interest in Tekne S.p.A. to Nuburu Defense, together with a €13 million convertible shareholder loan.

As part of this framework, €1 million has already been advanced by NUBURU as an initial disbursement under the €13 million convertible shareholder loan, supporting the commencement of the first contractual activities contemplated under the network contract.

Strategic Revenue Framework and International Defense Expansion

Within the framework of the network contract, NUBURU and Tekne intend to jointly identify, map, and pursue strategic international defense and security projects, including Tekne’s electronic-warfare solutions and military special-purpose vehicles, targeting customers and partners in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and NATO-aligned countries.

Revenues generated from such projects are expected to be shared on a contractual joint-venture basis, independently of Nuburu Defense’s initial 2.9% equity interest in Tekne, and in accordance with the economic arrangements defined under the network contract. As previously disclosed, any increase in NUBURU’s equity participation in Tekne beyond 2.9% remains subject to Italian Golden Power authorization.

Orbit – Planned Increase to Controlling Stake and Path to Full Acquisition

Following the initial investment completed in 2025, the Company plans to provide Orbit S.r.l. (“Orbit”) with a further capital injection in January 2026 to increase Nuburu Defense’s ownership interest above 20%. Upon reaching this threshold, Orbit’s bylaws will be amended and governance changes implemented to provide Nuburu Defense with effective control of Orbit’s board and operations.

The Company intends to make additional investments with the objective of acquiring 100% of Orbit’s equity. Pursuant to the underlying agreement, the acquisition of the remaining equity interests, following the investments already made and resulting in effective control through governance rights, will be completed through the issuance of preferred shares of the Company, subject to stockholder approval at a meeting to be held no later than July 31, 2026.

This staged acquisition approach is expected to allow Nuburu Defense to begin consolidating Orbit’s revenues once control is obtained, subject to applicable consolidation and purchase accounting requirements, while aligning governance and shareholder rights with applicable accounting and corporate standards.

Lyocon – Signing and Closing of Full Ownership

The Company confirms that Nuburu Defense and the shareholders of Lyocon S.r.l. (“Lyocon”) are planning the signing and closing of the previously announced Lyocon transaction in January 2026, subject to customary conditions precedent.

Lyocon’s blue-laser business is expected to be complementary to the Company’s original business at inception, while also supporting advanced defense, additive manufacturing, and industrial applications. Following closing, the full revenues generated by Lyocon are expected to be consolidated into NUBURU’s financial statements.

Maddox Defense Joint Venture – Strategic Scope and Execution Status

NUBURU also announced that Nuburu Defense continues to pursue the previously announced joint venture with Maddox Defense Incorporated, with signing targeted by the end of January 2026. The timing reflects the parties’ ongoing efforts to assess and integrate potential strategic synergies with NUBURU’s broader Defense & Security platform, including possible collaboration with Tekne and other Italian industrial partners.

The proposed JV is intended to focus on dual-use UAV solutions and deployable additive-manufacturing capabilities, supporting forward-deployed production, sustainment, and defense manufacturing-as-a-service models for military and allied customers.

Financial Strengthening and Capital Structure

The Company continues to execute its financial strengthening plan, aimed at supporting its transformation into a diversified defense and security technology platform while maintaining deep know-how in laser technology and its dual-use applications.

Recent financing initiatives, including structured debt instruments and equity-linked solutions, have improved liquidity, extended the Company’s operational runway, and provided dedicated capital to support acquisitions, strategic investments, and integration activities.

NUBURU remains focused on maintaining compliance with NYSE American listing standards while optimizing its capital structure to restore a positive equity position and support sustainable long-term growth.

Business Model Evolution and Market Opportunity

NUBURU’s evolving platform is expected to integrate laser-based hardware capabilities with mission-critical software and autonomous systems, addressing significant defense, security, and operational resilience markets.

Expanded offerings span electronic warfare, secure situational awareness, crisis management systems, and advanced robotics and UAV solutions.

Management Commentary

“The beginning of 2026 is expected to represent a pivotal execution phase for NUBURU,” said Alessandro Zamboni, Executive Chairman of NUBURU.“With the formalization of the Tekne partnership, the planned acquisition of the Lyocon blue-laser business, the achievement of control of Orbit, and the advancement of the Maddox Defense JV, we are translating strategic planning into operational reality.”

Dario Barisoni, Co-CEO of NUBURU and CEO of Nuburu Defense, added: “Our focus is on building an integrated, execution-driven Defense & Security platform. By combining blue-laser capabilities with software, advanced manufacturing, and deployable defense solutions, we are positioning Nuburu Defense to address real operational needs of government and allied customers, while establishing scalable and recurring revenue models.”

About NUBURU

Founded in 2015, NUBURU, Inc. has developed and previously manufactured industrial blue laser technology. Under a renewed strategic vision led by Executive Chairman and Co-CEO Alessandro Zamboni, the Company is expanding into complementary sectors including defense-tech, security, and critical infrastructure resilience. NUBURU is leveraging a combination of internal innovation and strategic acquisitions to build out its Defense & Security Hub, targeting long-term, sustainable growth across high-value government and enterprise markets.

For more information, visit www.nuburu.net.

About Nuburu Defense LLC

A subsidiary of NUBURU, Inc., Nuburu Defense LLC delivers advanced laser-based solutions for defense, security, and critical-infrastructure applications, supporting NUBURU’s Defense & Security Hub strategy.

For more information, visit also www.orbitopenplatform.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements, identified by words such as “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “plan,” “seek,” “targets,” “projects,” “could,” “would,” “continue,” “forecast,” or their negatives or variations. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to: (1) satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the private placement, (2) anticipated net proceeds and use of proceeds, (3) the ability to meet applicable securities exchange listing standards; (4) the impact of the loss of the Company’s patent portfolio through foreclosure; (5) failure to achieve expectations regarding business development and acquisition strategies; (6) inability to access sufficient capital; (7) inability to realize anticipated benefits of acquisitions; (8) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (9) adverse economic, business, or competitive factors; (10) financial market volatility due to geopolitical and economic factors; and (11) other risks detailed in the Company’s SEC filings, including its most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. These filings address additional risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. NUBURU undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, except as required by law.

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

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NUBURU Investor Relations: ir@nuburu.net
Media Contact: press@nuburu.net
Website: www.nuburu.net

Source: NUBURU, Inc.