# Drones

Strike drones startup Stark targeting blockbuster new funding round, sources say
Pro
Exclusive
May 21, 2026
Strike drones startup Stark targeting blockbuster new funding round, sources say
The startup recently won a contract with the German armed forces to supply its kamikaze drones
Anne Sraders
Missile startups are ‘the new wave’ in European defence
Pro
Analysis
May 8, 2026
Missile startups are ‘the new wave’ in European defence
Europe’s need for increased missile capabilities is spurring a new set of startups, VCs say
Anne Sraders
Exclusive: Air defence startup Egide raises €8m seed round
Pro
Exclusive
March 23, 2026
Exclusive: Air defence startup Egide raises €8m seed round
The Paris-based startup is building software and hardware to intercept drones and plans to expand to other threats
Daphné Leprince-Ringuet
15 defence startups to watch in 2026, according to VCs
Pro
Investor survey
March 20, 2026
15 defence startups to watch in 2026, according to VCs
From hypersonic missiles to micro ocean robots, a host of defence startups are catching VCs’ eyes
Anne Sraders
Iran war puts Europe’s air defence startups in the spotlight: ‘The gap is impossible to ignore’
Pro
Analysis
March 18, 2026
Iran war puts Europe’s air defence startups in the spotlight: ‘The gap is impossible to ignore’
A number of European startups like Tytan Technologies, Cambridge Aerospace and Frankenburg Technologies are aiming to build cheaper air defence systems
Anne Sraders
9 Bulgarian startups to watch in 2026, according to VCs
Pro
Investor survey
March 11, 2026
9 Bulgarian startups to watch in 2026, according to VCs
VCs from Bek Ventures, Eleven Ventures and BrightCap share the startups they’re eyeing
Anne Sraders
Iran war underscores the ‘urgency’ for Europe to build its defence capabilities, VCs say
Pro
News
March 3, 2026
Iran war underscores the ‘urgency’ for Europe to build its defence capabilities, VCs say
“Iran, Israel and the US are using military technology that are still R&D-ing Series A startups in Europe,” says one VC
Anne Sraders
Air defence startups Frankenburg and Tytan raise €30m each from Plural, NATO Innovation Fund
News
February 24, 2026
Air defence startups Frankenburg and Tytan raise €30m each from Plural, NATO Innovation Fund
Anti-drone startups announce funding rounds on fourth anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine
Anne Sraders
Quantum Systems founder sold stake in ARX Robotics prior to launch of similar product
Pro
Exclusive
February 19, 2026
Quantum Systems founder sold stake in ARX Robotics prior to launch of similar product
The incident reveals a tangled web of investors and rivals in the new defence tech ecosystem
Anne Sraders
Insiders report ‘very anti-US vibe’ at Europe’s top defence conference
Pro
Analysis
February 16, 2026
Insiders report ‘very anti-US vibe’ at Europe’s top defence conference
VC attendees say the Munich Security Conference ‘felt like Slush’
Anne Sraders
UK defence prime BAE Systems launches incubator, ‘actively looking’ into VC fund investing
Pro
Exclusive
February 6, 2026
UK defence prime BAE Systems launches incubator, ‘actively looking’ into VC fund investing
The company says it welcomes competition with Europe’s new defence startups and is eyeing VC fund investing
Anne Sraders
The European defence techs working with governments in 2026
Pro
List
February 2, 2026
The European defence techs working with governments in 2026
Defence startups have been winning contracts and wooing governments as billions flow into the sector
Anne Sraders
EIF eyeing ‘more ambitious’ defence investing programme as it doubles down on military tech
News
January 29, 2026
EIF eyeing ‘more ambitious’ defence investing programme as it doubles down on military tech
The fund is the largest backer of European VCs and has increasingly focused on investing in defence
Anne Sraders
European defence founders and VCs weigh in on Trump’s Greenland threats: ‘A serious distraction’
Pro
Analysis
January 19, 2026
European defence founders and VCs weigh in on Trump’s Greenland threats: ‘A serious distraction’
Some VCs believe the US's aggression could benefit pure-play defence startups
Anne Sraders
French drone maker Harmattan AI raises $200m Series B at $1.4bn valuation
News
January 12, 2026
French drone maker Harmattan AI raises $200m Series B at $1.4bn valuation
The fundraise was led by French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation
Daphné Leprince-Ringuet
15+ predictions for European defence in 2026
Pro
Analysis
January 7, 2026
15+ predictions for European defence in 2026
From defence tech funding hitting $3bn to a new frontline in space, VCs share their top predictions for the sector
Anne Sraders
Quantum Systems buys autonomous trucking startup Fernride following pivot to defence
News
December 17, 2025
Quantum Systems buys autonomous trucking startup Fernride following pivot to defence
Fernride began expanding into defence applications this year
Anne Sraders
Quantum Systems vs Helsing: Where is the talent coming from?
Pro
Analysis
December 1, 2025
Quantum Systems vs Helsing: Where is the talent coming from?
A new analysis from executive recruitment firm The Big Search shows more ex-military talent going into startups
Martin Coulter
Italian defence prime Leonardo ‘hungry like a wolf’ to acquire more startups
Pro
Interview
November 28, 2025
Italian defence prime Leonardo ‘hungry like a wolf’ to acquire more startups
The defence prime says it’s thinking of partnering with companies like Helsing and Anduril
Anne Sraders
The European founders making defence angel bets
Pro
List
November 14, 2025
The European founders making defence angel bets
From ARX Robotics’ cofounder to ICEYE’s CEO, defence founders are increasingly making their own bets on the sector
Anne Sraders
Strike drone startup Stark’s military test failures could have ‘damaging’ effect on industry
Pro
Analysis
November 6, 2025
Strike drone startup Stark’s military test failures could have ‘damaging’ effect on industry
Reaction to the buzzy German strike drone startup’s recent military test failures may be overblown — but could damage wider industry
Anne Sraders
M&A: The European startups on the hunt for acquisitions
Pro
List
November 5, 2025
M&A: The European startups on the hunt for acquisitions
Sifted lists 14 European startups targeting M&A opportunities, amidst an uptick in activity due to acqui-hiring sprees and roll-ups
Federico Scolari and Jonathan Sinclair
VCs think cybersecurity will be a big part of the new defence boom
Pro
Analysis
October 24, 2025
VCs think cybersecurity will be a big part of the new defence boom
From mis/disinformation to command and control, VCs are bullish on the future of cyber within defence
Anne Sraders
Bessemer partner says ‘no limit’ on European defence investments
Pro
Interview
October 17, 2025
Bessemer partner says ‘no limit’ on European defence investments
The $19bn US firm is angling to back a host of new European defence startups including in spacetech, manufacturing and subsea drones
Anne Sraders

# Drones

Strike drones startup Stark targeting blockbuster new funding round, sources say

Missile startups are ‘the new wave’ in European defence

Exclusive: Air defence startup Egide raises €8m seed round

15 defence startups to watch in 2026, according to VCs

Iran war puts Europe’s air defence startups in the spotlight: ‘The gap is impossible to ignore’

9 Bulgarian startups to watch in 2026, according to VCs

Iran war underscores the ‘urgency’ for Europe to build its defence capabilities, VCs say

Air defence startups Frankenburg and Tytan raise €30m each from Plural, NATO Innovation Fund

Quantum Systems founder sold stake in ARX Robotics prior to launch of similar product

Insiders report ‘very anti-US vibe’ at Europe’s top defence conference

UK defence prime BAE Systems launches incubator, ‘actively looking’ into VC fund investing

The European defence techs working with governments in 2026

EIF eyeing ‘more ambitious’ defence investing programme as it doubles down on military tech

European defence founders and VCs weigh in on Trump’s Greenland threats: ‘A serious distraction’

French drone maker Harmattan AI raises $200m Series B at $1.4bn valuation

15+ predictions for European defence in 2026

Quantum Systems buys autonomous trucking startup Fernride following pivot to defence

Quantum Systems vs Helsing: Where is the talent coming from?

Italian defence prime Leonardo ‘hungry like a wolf’ to acquire more startups

The European founders making defence angel bets

Strike drone startup Stark’s military test failures could have ‘damaging’ effect on industry

M&A: The European startups on the hunt for acquisitions

VCs think cybersecurity will be a big part of the new defence boom

Bessemer partner says ‘no limit’ on European defence investments