The European Investment Bank grants 25 million euros to the company Optics11 for the protection of submarine cables and networks.

Funding supports fiber optic sensor technology aimed at monitoring critical infrastructure in the energy and defense sectors against sabotage and failures.

Amsterdam, January 16, 2026 – The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a financing agreement through a venture debt loan worth 25 million euros with the Dutch technology company Optics11. Supported by the InvestEU program of the European Commission, the loan aims to accelerate the development and implementation of advanced fiber optic detection systems. These technologies are intended to enhance the security of critical infrastructure, focusing particularly on submarine cables and high-voltage energy networks.

In short

The EIB provides 25 million euros in funding to Optics11 to support research and development in the field of fiber optic sensors for civil and defense applications.

The technology enables acoustic monitoring and ultra-sensitive vibrations to detect threats to submarine infrastructure and electricity networks.

The CEO of Optics11, Paul Heiden, stated that the funds will accelerate the implementation of essential systems for energy resilience and maritime security in Europe.

The financing agreement targets two sectors identified as central to European strategic autonomy: energy and underwater security. Optics11 specializes in fiber optic detection technology, capable of performing ultra-sensitive monitoring of vibrations and acoustics in harsh environments. This capability is applied to missions such as underwater monitoring, border surveillance, and monitoring the structural condition of naval assets. By securing this funding, the company intends to expand the production and adoption of its systems at the European level.

EIB Vice President Robert de Groot described the investment as a move aimed at ensuring that the continent possesses the best technology for "known and unknown threats." He mentioned that the solutions developed by the Dutch innovator provide the competitive advantages necessary for building a safer Europe. The agreement is part of the InvestEU program, which mobilizes public and private funds to support the EU's political priorities, including the digital transition and the European Green Deal.

The operational context for this investment involves protecting vulnerable supply lines. Optics11 CEO Paul Heiden emphasized that disruptions to submarine infrastructure or failures in high-voltage networks have "immediate and widespread consequences." Considering that 70% of European trade volume depends on uninterrupted maritime trade and the stability of submarine data and energy flows, the technology aims to provide early warning systems against disruptions.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/banca-europeana-de-investitii-acorda-25-de-milioane-de-euro-companiei-optics11-pentru-protejarea-cablurilor-submarine-si-a-retelelor