Safran invests in mirSense, a French startup pioneering quantum-cascade lasers

Safran, through its Safran Corporate Ventures investment subsidiary, has invested in mirSense, a French startup specializing in quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs). This investment will support the development of advanced technologies that are vitally important for military optronic applications and miniaturized gas sensor solutions.

QCL lasers are based on semiconductor technology, enabling precise and highly stable operation at mid-infrared wavelengths. This technology will further enhance the operational performance of some of Safran’s optronics products.

Florent Illat, Head of Safran Corporate Ventures, commented: “Through this investment in mirSense, Safran Corporate Ventures is supporting a French player in the development of innovative solutions aimed at enriching our applications in the fields of military electronics, imaging and optical telecommunications.”

Mathieu Carras, founder and CEO of mirSense commented: “We’re delighted that Safran Corporate Ventures has joined other more conventional venture capital investors in this second funding round. It’s a strong signal of confidence in our growth potential. This investment opens up opportunities for cooperation, enabling mirSense to expand its potential customer base in the security sector.”

Safran Corporate Ventures has invested in mirSense as part of a total funding round of €7 million, alongside Supernova Invest, Polytechnique Ventures and Crédit Agricole Alpes Développement (C2AD).

This investment brings to 24 the number of startups in which Safran’s venture capital subsidiary has invested as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Safran Corporate Ventures has a budget of €130 million, and in recent years has stepped up its investments in line with the Group’s strategic priorities: decarbonization, sovereignty (mirSense’s area of focus) and digital.

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of €27.3 billion in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes research and development programs to maintain the environmental priorities of its R&T and innovation roadmap.

Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.

Source : Safran