With a budget of up to €200 million, this fund will focus on boosting the ecosystem of startups, SMEs, and spinoffs working on disruptive, dual-use solutions that are key to Europe's technological sovereignty. The free-space optical (FSO) communications developed by FYLA provide capabilities comparable to fiber optics, but without requiring cable installation. Information is transmitted wirelessly through the air using light beams, creating ultrafast, precise, and highly directional links.
FYLA has created a laser technology capable of generating extremely short light pulses, on the order of picoseconds and even femtoseconds—units of time equivalent to one trillionth (0.000000000001) and one quadrillionth (0.000000000000001) of a second, respectively. This characteristic, combined with the short wavelength of light itself, allows for the establishment of directional data connections that are virtually impossible to intercept or interfere with, resilient, have very long ranges, and consume little energy—fundamental characteristics for the most demanding defense systems.
For this reason, FYLA's laser is perfect for aircraft, drones, and temporary links that require high bandwidth, especially in environments where physical infrastructure cannot be deployed or where weather conditions are adverse.
FYLA is already collaborating with Indra on initiatives such as the FCAS, the sixth-generation air combat system in which Indra leads the Spanish participation. This relationship demonstrates the interest in this technological development and its strategic value as a critical provider of advanced photonic solutions.
“FYLA is a clear example of the deep-tech talent being developed in Spain, which will allow us to play a leading role in the European industry. Collaborating with a business ecosystem that drives cutting-edge technologies is essential for Indra to continue adding innovation with agility and develop its own sovereign technologies, capable of responding to the needs of the defense sector,” stated Manuel Ausaverri, Director General of Strategy and M&A at Indra Group.
Pere Pérez-Millán, founder and CEO of FYLA, stated that "the transaction provides strong financial backing for the execution of our growth plan and consolidates FYLA's technological relationship with the Indra Group. Having an industrial and technological player like Indra allows us to leverage synergies between our development plans, as well as benefit from the dual applications of laser communications. This collaboration gives us the opportunity to enter the defense sector while strengthening the advancement of laser use in civilian communications." Founded in 2014 as a spin-off from the Optical Fiber Group of the University of Valencia, FYLA has developed a comprehensive innovation model based on cutting-edge research and in-house production. The company has received financial and strategic support since 2018 from Bullnet Capital, a Spanish venture capital fund specializing in deep-tech and technology transfer.
The versatility of its technology allows for applications beyond the military sphere. Currently, the company boasts mature and well-established products for scientific and civilian applications. Its ultrafast lasers are used in advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, bioscience, metrology, industrial inspection, and materials processing. They also find applications in fields such as astrophysics, where they function as optical rulers for precisely measuring and calibrating stellar spectra.
Within the civilian sector, these solutions enable new possibilities in connectivity and telecommunications, replacing fiber optics in complex areas, connecting remote regions, restoring communications after emergencies, and creating temporary high-bandwidth links.
