New industrial framework unites Italian and U.S. expertise to accelerate defense innovation and next-generation military drone development.

CENTENNIAL, Colo., November 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NUBURU, Inc. (NYSE American: BURU) ("NUBURU" or the "Company"), a global pioneer in high-performance blue laser technology, today announced a significant update to its strategic alliance with Tekne, a specialized provider in the defense and security sector. The companies, along with Tekne's shareholders, have signed a new letter of agreement ("Updated Tekne Agreement") on November 10, 2025, superseding their previous understanding and establishing a renewed, robust strategic and industrial partnership. This agreement will be implemented by Nuburu Inc. via its specialized subsidiary, Nuburu Defense LLC.

The cornerstone of this expanded collaboration will be the establishment of a "Network Contract" (Contratto di Rete) under Italian law by November 30, 2025. This innovative framework is designed to foster a stable and lasting partnership by pooling resources and expertise, facilitating deep cooperation without immediately forming a new legal entity.

"This updated agreement with Tekne marks a pivotal moment for Nuburu as we quickly expand our footprint in the global defense and security market," said Alessandro Zamboni, Executive Chairman and Co-CEO of Nuburu Inc. "Our enhanced partnership, underscored by a substantial financial commitment and strategic go-to-market initiatives, positions us to deliver unparalleled solutions and create significant value for our stakeholders and clients worldwide. The establishment of the 'Contratto di Rete' embodies our shared vision for long-term growth and innovation."

Key aspects of the renewed partnership include:

• Facilitating Strategic and Industrial Cooperation: Both parties reaffirmed their shared interest in a long-term partnership within the defense and security sector. Nuburu views this cooperation as central to its global 'defense & security' project, actively pursuing accreditation with Italian governmental entities.
  

• Joint Go-to-Market Strategies:

  • Americas: Nuburu will secure exclusive distribution rights for Tekne's products and solutions.

  • NATO, MENA, and APAC: The companies will collaborate on promoting and executing individual orders, potentially through joint ventures with local entities, sharing all phases from design to delivery.

  • Italy: Nuburu will pursue qualification as a new defense operator in Italy, jointly studying and proposing Nuburu's products to Tekne's Italian clients, in particular the solutions offered by the new joint venture with Maddox Defense Incorporated aimed at developing, manufacturing, and deploying military drones for NATO customers and commercial/civilian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications. Separately, Tekne will adopt Nuburu's operational resilience solutions to be provided by Orbit.
    

• Sharing Critical Assets and Capabilities: Tekne will contribute its know-how, personnel, and Italian production/operational facilities, particularly for local production/assembly requirements. Nuburu will provide necessary guarantees, acquire existing/future project credits, cover initial design costs, and potentially establish regional production sites for international markets.
  

• Innovation and Project Co-investment: The "Contratto di Rete" will enable joint work on specific projects related to technological innovation, research and development, and internationalization, with Nuburu committed to contributing to these strategic initiatives.
  

• Financial Strengthening and Support for Tekne: Nuburu has committed €15 million in financial support to strengthen Tekne's working capital and net financial position. This includes:

  • €2 Million by using the Inventory Monetization platform powered by Supply@ME Capital Plc on which NUBURU made a strategic controlling-interest investment;

  • €13 Million as a convertible shareholder loan, conditional on NUBURU simultaneously acquiring a 2.9% equity stake in Tekne. The potential conversion of this loan, and the future path to achieving a controlling interest in Tekne, will also be influenced by the stated interest of the Italian government in investing in Tekne, as conveyed by Tekne's representatives.