Tehnopol’s Post

Big thanks to Daria Dmytrenko and the Sifted for spotlighting the trends in military tech startups in Europe. This topic is crucial in Ukraine and the whole of Europe, and I'm glad you're pushing this conversation forward! 👏 Read here: https://lnkd.in/eh3d7M_H #DefenseInnovation #TechStartups

🔗 Join the NATO DIANA SEE Info Day workshop hosted by Techcelerator.Co and discover all the details about the second edition of the DIANA Defense Innovation Accelerator, organized by NATO! 🗓️ Date & Time: August 2, from 17:00 (Online Event) Register here > https://lnkd.in/dw2p2RSP 🎤 Speakers: Ioan Istrate - NATO DIANA Venture Capital Advisor Andrei Dragomir - Founder & CEO of Aquark Technologies Dragos Stanciu - CEO of Grayscale AI (NATO DIANA) 📣 Event Highlights: Get insights from Andrei Dragomir and Dragos Stanciu, two Romanian founders who were part of the startups selected in the first edition of the NATO DIANA accelerator. 🚀 DIANA Accelerator Program: The program starts in January 2025 and runs for six months. Participants receive funding up to €300,000, mentoring, and access to over 180 test centers and a network of mentors and investors across NATO. 🔍 Focus Areas: Energy and Power Data and Information Security Sensing and Surveillance Health and Performance/Wellbeing Critical Infrastructure and Logistics 📌 Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the DIANA Defense Innovation Accelerator and how it can support your startup! Join us online to get all the information you need to apply and succeed. #StartupWorkshop #DIANAAccelerator #Techcelerator #SEED #Innovation #DefenseTech #NATO #StartupFunding #Mentorship #TechEvent

🚀 Latest Interview from Baltic Sandbox Ventures! 🚀   DeepTech has multiple verticals of application, and our fund is actively engaged in the dual-use space. Check out the highlights from a recent interview by UAB „Investicijų ir verslo garantijos“ (INVEGA) with Andrius Milinavicius and Dominykas Milasius. Key Highlights:   Did you know Silicon Valley’s birth was driven by military demand for semiconductors during the space race? Dominykas Milasius refers to it as one of the factors in how many groundbreaking technologies, like the internet, started as military applications before becoming integral to our everyday lives. What’s driving our focus on dual-use technology? Andrius Milinavicius mentioned that many solutions in our portfolio have dual applications, benefiting both security and humanitarian efforts. The geopolitical landscape, especially the situation in Ukraine, has intensified Lithuania's focus on military technology to manage risks. This is a strategic move beyond just financial decisions.   Discover more about our success stories and partnerships by checking out the full article linked in the comments.   If you’re a startup, feel free to reach out to us! We can connect you with our latest incubation programs and support opportunities. 🚀🔒 #innovation #dualusetechnologies #startupsuccess

Boom! We just covered this on our latest podcast!

🇪🇺 💶 VC investment in European defence tech to hit record $1B in 2024, report finds. Venture capital (VC) investment in European defense technology is projected to hit $1 billion by 2024, reflecting a five-fold increase since 2018. The surge is driven by rising geopolitical instability and the need for advanced security solutions. 🔑 Key Findings: ◾ Rapid Growth: Since 2018, the sector has seen VC funding rise to $3 billion, now accounting for 1.8% of total European VC investment.  ◾ Geopolitical Influence: The war in Ukraine and security concerns across Europe have pushed governments to prioritize defense technology innovation. ◾ Germany Leads: Germany, the UK, and France dominate with 87% of total funding. Munich, in particular, has attracted significant investments, including Helsing's $487 million raise in 2024. ◾ Top Cities: Munich, Bristol, and Paris have become major hubs for defense tech funding, while cities like London, Oxford, and Cambridge follow closely in the UK.    💰 NATO Investment: ◾ NATO's Role: Investments in NATO member states have surged, outpacing the wider group by 25%. ◾ NATO VC investments are projected to reach $5.9 billion by 2024, contributing to a total of $18 billion raised since 2018. ◾ US Leadership: The US remains the leading contributor to NATO defense tech investments. 👨💻 Startups and Scaleups: ◾ Critical Role: Startups in the defense tech space are seen as crucial for their agility and technical expertise. ◾ There are now 370 VC-backed defense tech startups within NATO, with a combined value of $161 billion. The growth of VC investment in European defense tech highlights the sector's rising importance amidst ongoing geopolitical threats. Startups and scaleups in Germany, the UK, and France are leading innovation, with NATO countries collectively boosting their defense capabilities through increased funding and collaboration. 🔲 For more details, visit TechReviewers.net 👇 https://lnkd.in/dnxvYy3j #Deeptech #defensetech #defense #Investors #funding #startups #founder #technology #tech #VCs #investment #investing #innovation #innovator #futurism #scaleups #Germany #UK #France #NATO #US #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship

🇫🇷 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝗚𝗜𝗙𝗔𝗦! 🚀 GIFAS - Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales represents the French #Aerospace industry at national, European, and international levels. With 485 members, its mission is to advocate for, coordinate, and support companies in navigating this rapidly evolving and strategic sector. This membership will enable us to: ✅ Partner with top aerospace companies  ✅ Expand our local and global footprint in the industry  ✅ Contribute to and benefit from industry advancements We’re especially proud to join #StartAir, the branch created in 2022 to strengthen collaboration between startups like Alpha Impulsion and the broader aerospace ecosystem. Because as alway, innovation thrives on cooperation 🤝 #NewSpace #Innovation #Startup

Reflecting on an Inspiring TechChill Conference! 🚀 Excited to share some key takeaways from my participation at TechChill conference in the Baltic region! The energy and innovation showcased were truly remarkable. Here are some highlights: Thriving Baltic Startup Ecosystem: The Baltics are buzzing with a vast number of startups, both local heroes and those with global scalability. It's invigorating to witness such entrepreneurial spirit in the region! Insights into Military Tech: One of the most intriguing discussions revolved around military tech. It was fascinating to learn that for military startups to attract investments, they must demonstrate applications beyond the defense sector, extending into civilian life. Success in Diversity: The final startup awards ceremony was a testament to the diverse talent and innovation present. Startups that clinched multiple awards across different categories stood out, showcasing their potential for significant impact and success. Strong Ukrainian Presence: Seeing a strong contingent of Ukrainian startups, companies, and speakers at the event was heartening. Their presence underscores the vibrant tech ecosystem and entrepreneurial drive in Ukraine. Overall, TechChill offered a dynamic platform to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and celebrate innovation. Can't wait to see the groundbreaking developments that emerge from this vibrant community! #TechChill #StartupEcosystem #Innovation #TechConference #Baltics #UkraineTech #Entrepreneurship

Can #Startups Defend Europe? 🚀 🌟 This is the head for the latest project of Sifted 💫 The Big Pic: NATO is preparing for a potential military conflict with Russia within the next 10 years— the tech community sees the commercial potential of modernising the continent’s armies. 💫 Why it matters: Europe’s defence startups have bucked the trend of diminishing fundraising rounds: the sector saw $614m in deals in 2023, up from $408m in 2022, according to Dealroom. A big part of this push has come from the public sector. In 2022, NATO launched a $1bn startup fund and a tech accelerator (NATO DIANA) — the first time in history that the military alliance has backed emerging technologies. 💫 More numbers: €240bn spend by eu government on defense in 2022; 3x is how much funding of defence and dual-use startups rose between 2020 and 2023; €209m is how much Helsing 🇩🇪 raised last year in its Series B, the biggest defence tech raise in Europe so far. 💫 More defense / dual use startups which raised impressively: ICEYE 🇫🇮, Unseenlabs 🇫🇷, The Exploration Company 🇩🇪, ALL.SPACE 🇬🇧 💫 dive deeper: https://lnkd.in/dy6djK6z #defensetech #dualuse #innovation #vc

🚀 Exciting Program Alert! 🚀 Last week, we witnessed an incredible display of innovation and collaboration as MassChallenge and Hanscom Air Force Base (Mass.) joined forces for the live judging round of the 2024 Air Force Labs program. This marks the fifth edition of AirForce Labs, dedicated to recruiting founders and startups operating dual-use companies with both commercial and military applications. We were blown away by the talent and creativity of the 24 startups that pitched their groundbreaking ideas to a distinguished panel of judges. Among them were leaders from the United States Air Force and 13 other dual-use community partners, including prestigious names like MITRE, BAE Systems, Raytheon, Collins Aerospace, Blue Origin, Long Capture, Griffiss Institute, Intel Corporation, TechLink, FutureProof, A Hanwha Company, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell Applied Research Lab. At the heart of our partnership with Hanscom AFB lies a shared mission: to identify challenges faced by the Air Force, accelerate high-impact small businesses with technologies to solve those challenges, and transition them toward government partnership. Additionally, we aim to accelerate startups with technologies relevant to other U.S. Air Force Program Executive Offices and engage those offices to foster collaboration. The benefits of the program are immense. Selected startups will have the opportunity to connect with Hanscom AFB innovation champions, receive education from MassChallenge mentors and subject matter experts, and gain access to industry leaders, investors, research institutions, and the U.S. Department of Defense to support technology transition. Furthermore, networking with fellow participants and graduates fosters brainstorming and camaraderie, enriching the entire experience. As we embark on the next phase of this journey, we're eagerly reviewing the judge feedback alongside leaders from Hanscom Air Force Base to announce the next cohort of startups in the coming weeks. To all our startups, we wish you the best of luck, and a heartfelt thank you to our esteemed panel of judges. Your feedback and insights are invaluable, and this wouldn't be possible without you. Special thanks also go to the Hanscom leadership for their visionary partnership in innovating for the future of our Air Force. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation together! ✨ #AirForceLabs #Innovation #Collaboration #StartupCommunity #DualUse #defenseinnovation #acceleration #SBIR

The European Space Agency - ESA 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 (𝐄𝐒𝐀 𝐁𝐈𝐂) 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 supports entrepreneurs using space technology across various sectors, and offers essential facilities, financial backing, technical expertise, and business development assistance, helping start-ups transition from ideas to market-ready products. Unique facilities, such as 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 and 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐄𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 (owned and operated by SSC - Swedish Space Corporation), offer invaluable testing and development opportunities. The drop tower in Bremen allows companies to conduct zero-gravity experiments in collaboration with ZARM, providing critical data for space applications. Similarly, the proximity to Esrange Space Center in Sweden enables start-ups to engage in advanced space research and testing, benefiting from the region's robust space industry ecosystem. Start-ups benefit from mentorship, technical support, and networking opportunities, fostering innovation and growth. Doing so, the ESA BIC network provides a 𝐝𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 where entrepreneurs can thrive. For further information on the ESA BIC ecosystem, and to check local ESA BIC application deadlines, read more here: https://lnkd.in/dpuhFnuD #SpaceInnovation #NewSpace #SpaceTechnology #StartUps