BURUD 8-K
Nuburu, Inc. (BURUD)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On October 22, 2025, Nuburu, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that it had entered into a non-binding Strategic Framework Agreement, dated October 22, 2025 (the “Agreement”), among the Company, Nuburu Defense, LLC (“Nuburu Defense”) and Maddox Defense Incorporated (“Maddox”), pursuant to which the Company and Maddox plan to establish a joint venture company (the “JV Company”) to develop, manufacture, and deploy military drones for NATO customers and for commercial or civilian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications. Under the Agreement, the parties intend to execute a definitive joint venture agreement on or before December 15, 2025, establishing the JV Company under Italian law as a European-based manufacturing and research hub. The parties intend for Nuburu Defense to contribute up to $10 million in funding while Maddox contributes eligible assets, intellectual property, expertise and personnel. The value of Maddox’s eligible assets would be evaluated by a formal appraisal process in accordance with Italian law. The equity ownership of the JV Company would be determined proportionally based on the ratio of the Company’s capital commitment compared to the value of Maddox’s eligible assets evaluation; provided, that, Nuburu Defense would have the controlling interest in the JV Company. The Agreement includes a six-month exclusivity period and has a term of six months, unless earlier terminated by either party upon 30 days written notice. The press release issued by the Company is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.
The information furnished in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit No. |
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Description |
99.1 |
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104 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL document). |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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NUBURU, INC. |
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Date: |
October 28, 2025 |
By: |
/s/ Alessandro Zamboni |
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Name: Alessandro Zamboni |
Exhibit 99.1
NUBURU Announces Strategic Alliance with Maddox Defense for
Controlling-Interest JV to Advance Next-Gen Drone Technologies
10/22/2025
Targeting a multi-billion-dollar market opportunity in defense and commercial
drone systems, with projected annual revenue approaching $100 million by 2028,
leveraging battlefield-proven expertise and export-compliant innovation.
CENTENNIAL, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NUBURU, Inc. (NYSE American: BURU) (“NUBURU” or the “Company”), a global pioneer in high-performance blue-laser technology, today announced that it has entered into a Strategic Framework Agreement with Nuburu Defense LLC and Maddox Defense Incorporated to establish a joint-venture company (the “JV Company”).
Controlled by Nuburu Defense, the JV Company will focus on the compliant development, manufacturing, and deployment of advanced drone systems for both military and commercial applications.
Strategic Objectives
The JV Company will design, manufacture, and deploy adaptable military drones for NATO and allied customers, leveraging the combined technical and operational expertise of Nuburu Defense and Maddox Defense Incorporated. The parties estimate the NATO UAV defense market opportunity at approximately $7 – $10.3 billion annually.
In addition to defense programs, the JV Company’s 2026–2028 plan includes a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for commercial and civil-sector drone deployment, built on synergies with NUBURU’s core blue-laser platform, the Orbit operational-resilience system (recently acquired under controlling interest), and Tekne’s defense-mobility suite.
The JV anticipates reaching approximately $100 million in annual revenue by the end of 2028 and roughly $165 million cumulative across 2026–2028.
Manufacturing Approach
Operations will utilize rapid-manufacturing pods capable of deployable field fabrication through polymer and metal 3D printing, modular avionics, and scalable commercial components.
These mobile production units enable on-demand UAV assembly and re-configuration near operational zones while remaining compliant with applicable export-control laws.
Joint Venture Framework
Under the Strategic Framework Agreement, the parties intend to execute a definitive Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) on or before December 15, 2025, establishing the JV Company under Italian law as a European-based manufacturing and research hub.
The collaboration will integrate complementary technologies for NATO-authorized programs while maintaining full U.S. export-control compliance. No transfer of U.S.-controlled defense technology or classified data is contemplated; all U.S.-origin technical information remains subject to ITAR and EAR regulations.
Key anticipated terms include:
Leadership Comments
“This framework agreement marks another pivotal step forward as NUBURU expands its presence across the defense and commercial sectors,” said Alessandro Zamboni, Executive Chairman and Co-CEO of NUBURU. “Our blue-laser innovation, paired with Maddox Defense’s battlefield-proven UAV design and the capabilities of our Orbit platform, positions this JV to deliver next-generation, compliant drone solutions. We also anticipate strong synergies with Tekne’s mobility technologies and client base.”
“Maddox Defense is thrilled to partner with NUBURU to deliver advanced drone capabilities to NATO and civilian markets,” said Jason Maddox, Founder of Maddox Defense Incorporated. “Our Special Forces and intelligence-veteran engineering team brings combat-tested innovation and design intelligence — including direct experience supporting allied operations — that, when combined with NUBURU’s laser systems and Orbit’s resilience tools, creates a formidable platform for global defense and security.”
“This venture enables Nuburu Defense to extend our mission-critical laser solutions into the rapidly expanding drone domain,” added Dario Barisoni, CEO of Nuburu Defense LLC. “Together with Maddox Defense, we’re aligning innovation, rapid deployment, and regulatory compliance to meet NATO-standardized operational requirements. The launch of the JV has ideal timing considering the acquisition secured with Orbit and the recent interest of the Italian Government in Tekne which has a perfect fit with the strategic and industrial alliance we have been building up with the company.”
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Regulatory and Compliance
All technologies and systems developed by the JV Company will be designed and manufactured in full accordance with applicable U.S., EU, and NATO export-control laws, ensuring responsible deployment of defense technologies solely to authorized partners and allied nations.
About the Joint Venture
The NUBURU–Maddox Defense Joint Venture combines NUBURU’s proprietary blue-laser technology, Maddox Defense Incorporated’s combat-tested UAV engineering, and the Orbit operational-resilience platform to deliver scalable, rapid-response drone systems for defense, security, and commercial applications worldwide.
About NUBURU
Founded in 2015, NUBURU, Inc. developed and commercialized industrial blue-laser technology. Under a renewed strategic vision led by Executive Chairman and Co-CEO Alessandro Zamboni, NUBURU is expanding into complementary sectors including defense-tech, security, and critical-infrastructure resilience, leveraging internal R&D and strategic acquisitions to build a comprehensive Defense & Security Hub.
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.
About Maddox Defense Incorporated
Maddox Defense Incorporated, a Puerto Rico (U.S.)-based skunkworks company, develops defense and warfighter-focused ecosystems encompassing software, IP, communications, controls, and hardware designs for military drones, aircraft, mobility systems, UAS, and related technologies.
It operates independently from Maddox Defense, Inc., the California-based defense contractor specializing in U.S. government manufacturing and logistics programs.
All activities are conducted in full compliance with U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than historical facts may be
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forward-looking statements, identified by words such as “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “seek,” “target,” “project,” and similar expressions.
These include, without limitation, statements about the anticipated Joint Venture, revenue projections, synergies, and market opportunities. Actual results may differ materially due to various factors, including but not limited to:
(1) the risk that the parties do not execute a definitive JVA on the anticipated timeline or terms;
(2) failure to realize anticipated benefits of the JV or related acquisitions;
(3) changes in laws, export controls, or geopolitical conditions;
(4) inability to access sufficient capital; and
(5) other risks detailed in NUBURU’s SEC filings.
All financial figures are preliminary and unaudited. NUBURU undertakes no obligation to update these statements except as required by law.
All collaborative activities described herein are subject to applicable U.S. and international export-control regulations. The joint-venture structure does not constitute a transfer of U.S. defense technical data or ownership.
Investor Relations: [email protected]
Media Contact: [email protected]
Website: www.nuburu.net
Source: NUBURU, Inc.
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