Uwe Horstmann's Recent LinkedIn Posts

Unlocking 500bn EUR for infrastructure and defense investments is a historic moment for Germany -- no doubt about it. Innovation is needed to remain competitive and create actual deterrence. How do we achieve the goal of peace by strength? Here's how: a) make sure we allocate a sizeable portion of the investment to innovative, younger companies b) foster partnerships between them and the established players. Why? Firstly, our aim needs to be to give the best possible equipment in the hands of operators who secure our freedom: Created on the most recent technological developments, software-defined, ready for mass-production. Startups play an important role in creating those. Secondly, by doing so, we are creating new pillars of our defense industry structure. And that's what creates real deterrence. Let's take this chance to create an industry that will be able to rise up to all tasks ahead. (Using this recent Quantum Systems visual to illustrate)

At the Munich Security Conference experts grappled with one question: what will Europes defence look like? So I was glad to be at the #MSC25 with a group of people, who know an answer to this question. The UXS Alliance with representatives from ARX Robotics, Quantum Systems and STARK was in Munich this weekend to talk to experts from politics, the military and industry about building unmanned systems for all scenarios for Europe and its allies. Thank you to Martin Karkour, Sven Kruck, Florian Seibel, Philip Lockwood, Matthias Lehna, Marc A. Wietfeld and Paul C. Strobel for the many fruitful discussions. After this experience I don’t share the gloom that some saw in Munich, but a real opportunity for defence technology to play an ever larger role in the resilience of Europe. #UXS #DefTech #Munich #MSC25 #Technology #Resilience

Are Resilience and DefTech Founders turning their backs on Germany? A new Handelsblatt article highlights a worrying trend: nearly two-thirds of Germany’s defence tech founders would not choose to launch their companies here again (https://lnkd.in/gV7UgPgp) The reasons? Slow procurement. Risk-averse policies. Lack of funding. And perhaps most alarmingly - lack of recognition. Let’s be clear: Europe needs these start-ups. But let’s not jump to the wrong conclusion. Yes, procurement is tough. It should be. We’re dealing with national security, sensitive technologies, and long-term strategic risks. But complexity doesn’t have to mean opacity. Start-ups don’t need lower standards. They need: 🔘 Transparent pathways into procurement 🔘 Clear signals about what matters: execution, product quality, and product standards 🔘 Better flow of information to reduce reliance on lobbying and informal networks At Project A, we continue to believe in the potential of Europe’s defence tech ecosystem. We’re ready to back the next generation of European founders who want to build in this space. If you’re working on hard problems with real impact, let’s talk! #DefenceTech #Security - - - Wenden sich Resilienz- und DefTech-Gründer von Deutschland ab? Ein neuer Artikel im Handelsblatt zeigt eine besorgniserregende Entwicklung: Fast zwei Drittel der deutschen Defence-Tech-Gründer würden ihr Unternehmen nicht noch einmal in Deutschland gründen (https://lnkd.in/gV7UgPgp). Die Gründe? Langsame Beschaffungsprozesse. Risikoscheue Politik. Fehlende Finanzierung. Und vielleicht am schwerwiegendsten: mangelnde Anerkennung. Fest steht: Europa braucht diese Start-ups. Aber wir sollten nicht die falschen Schlüsse ziehen. Ja, Beschaffung ist komplex – und das muss sie auch sein. Es geht um nationale Sicherheit, sensible Technologien und strategische Risiken. Aber Komplexität darf nicht mit Intransparenz gleichgesetzt werden. Start-ups brauchen keine niedrigeren Hürden. Sie brauchen: 🔘 Transparente Zugänge zu Beschaffungsprozessen 🔘 Klare Signale, worauf es ankommt: Ausführung, Produktqualität und Standards 🔘 Bessere Informationsflüsse, um die Abhängigkeiten von Lobbying zu verringern Bei Project A glauben wir fest an das Potenzial des europäischen Defence-Tech-Ökosystems. Wir sind bereit, die nächste Generation von Gründer:innen zu unterstützen, die an harten, aber relevanten Problemen arbeiten. Wenn du dazu gehörst – melde dich! #DefenceTech #Sicherheit

“On time, on money, and on capability.” Diese Worte des Generalleutnants der Luftwaffe bringen präzise auf den Punkt, was möglich ist, wenn Streitkräfte und Industrie, neue wie etablierte, konsequent zusammenarbeiten. Es war mir eine Freude, auf der Handelsblatt Konferenz gemeinsam mit Generalleutnant Dr. Freuding, Holger "HAWK" Neumann und Helmut Rauch über Abschreckung an der Ostflanke zu diskutieren. Zwei Dinge sind dabei deutlich geworden: Erstens: Wir müssen jetzt bereit sein. „Fight Tonight“ ist kein Slogan für die Zukunft, sondern eine Anforderung an die Gegenwart. Es geht um reale Einsatzfähigkeit im Hier und Jetzt. Das verlangt politischen, industriellen und gesellschaftlichen Mut. Ich bin überzeugt, dass wir diesen Mut haben. Zweitens: Wir haben kein Erkenntnisproblem, wir haben ein Zeitproblem. Die Bedrohungslage ist klar. Was fehlt, ist Geschwindigkeit. Das erfordert schnelles und kontinuierliches Lernen, auch aus der Ukraine, beschleunigte Beschaffung, massive private Investitionen in Verteidigung sowie echten Austausch und enge Kooperation innerhalb der Industrie. Nur so können wir dieser Herausforderung gerecht werden.

Congrats to the A11 team on unveiling your new brand! It’s rewarding to see your mission take on its own identity. Over the years I’ve watched how you work - always mission-driven, always willing to challenge the status quo. Now that how you work has a name and banner: A11. Be sure to follow that page to be learn what A11 is all about and how they just might be the right choice for you as a partner for a digital challenge. From day one, you’ve been all about impact and execution. It’s clear that this isn’t just a rebranding - it’s a reflection of the unique approach and values you already lived. Giving it a name solidifies that identity. As an early believer in what you do, I find it inspiring to see this evolution. Congratulations on the launch Rainer Berak, Thuy-Ngan Trinh, Stephan Schulze and the whole A11 team, and here’s to the next chapter of big missions under the A11 flag. I’m excited to continue partnering together. The hard work and relentless focus were always there - now the world sees the brand that matches it.

Yesterday, the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag approved the procurement of thousands of #Virtus, STARK flagship #loiteringmunition, for Brigade 45 in Lithuania. This is not just a contract win. It is a milestone for #STARK. In a very short time, we have built a company that has earned the trust of the Bundeswehr, the confidence of policymakers, and the respect of peers across the industry. I’m so proud of the entire STARK team. This is testament to their strength and resilience. What we achieved today would normally have been unreachable for a company of our young age. It was only possible because we kept pushing, kept building, and stuck to our mission in the face of challenges along the way. And now the real work begins. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dREiJsYx

Proud moment for ARX Robotics - and for European defence tech. Marc A. Wietfeld, Maximilian Wied, and Stefan Roebel started ARX Robotics with a clear mission: to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy through cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI. Today, they’ve reached a major milestone: A €31M Series A round, led by HV Capital, with strong support from Omnes, NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) and us at Project A. ARX Robotics is leading the way in mobile ground robotics - scaling production 5x in 2025, expanding across Europe, and advancing their AI operating system for legacy fleets, ARX Mithra OS. With a fully European supply chain and a world-class team, ARX is helping Europe take control of its technological future - and we’re just getting started. Huge congratulations to the entire team - it’s a privilege to be part of this journey.

Fun fact — did you know that Project A was born in 2011 in my apartment at this desk, with an ugly Ikea plant in the back? What began small is now a pan-European fund investing from pre-seed to seed — and today, we’re announcing Fund V: €325 million to back the next generation of European founders. The real foundation of all this has always been trust. The trust of entrepreneurs and investors who choose us as partners on their journey. And the trust of the people who decide to join us and build this firm together. I’m especially proud to share that Jack Wang has been promoted to Partner. Jack combines sharp thinking with rare integrity — and I’ve learned a lot from working with him. Together with Malin Posern, Philipp Werner and Anton Waitz, we have a perfect team in place, working on European Resilience, Fintech, Future of Autonomous Work and Global Supply Chains. I’m excited about what’s ahead, especially as we double down together on defense, resilience, and other critical systems that Europe needs to get right. More on Fund V and our updated look → www.project-a.vc

The security architecture of Europe is being rewritten, and the industrial base must evolve to meet it. We cannot rely on the old ways of doing business; we need velocity and scale. If that resonates with you: I am looking for someone to work on STARK's corporate development & strategic partnerships and to drive this in a very small team with me. We need someone who understands that "strategy" isn't about slide decks; it's about execution. To excel in this role, you ideally have a "Dual DNA": - Commercial Excellence: You have the rigor from top-tier consulting, banking, private equity or venture. You know how to structure the deal and model the outcome. Ideally, you have worked in defense and deep tech before. - Operational Reality: You don’t just know the theory; you know the friction. Ideally, you have served. You know that "defense" is a promise to the operator in the field, not just a market sector. Or, you have the grit of a founder. You have built something from scratch and understand the relentless iteration required to survive. At STARK, we are building the future of European defense. But the mission is too large for any of us to go it alone, too large for any single company. True sovereignty comes from strengthening the industrial base by connecting the best capabilities across the continent—bridging the gap between the agility of deep tech innovation and the scale of industrial production. STARK wants to be a great partner in many ways, from acquiring to partnering. Help us shape and execute this. If you have this mix of commercial mind and operational soul and you want to build, get in touch with me or Mariana Daily #hiring #defense #europeandefense #strategy #corpdev #mission

One for the history books: Important to be at this years Munich Security Conference! There really is only one place to be this week in the security and resilience world: Munich. For the first time, the UXS Alliance is participating at the conference with an entire delegation and I’m super happy to be a part of it. You can hear me speak with Prof. Dr. Rafaela Kraus and Thomas Gottschild at: 🔈 New Defense: How to maximise the potential of our industry, hosted by vbw – Vereinigung der Bayerischen Wirtschaft e. V. 🗓️ Friday, 14 Feb. ⏰ 09:30am And of course you can meet me and Sven Kruck Marc A. Wietfeld, Philip Lockwood and the other members of our delegation at Hotel Bayerischer Hof München as we bring unmanned systems to the heart of security policy in Europe. #UnmanmedSystems #EuropeanResilience #ResilienceTech #UXS #MSC #MSC25

Help us update our Defence Tech Investor List! With national security initiatives gaining momentum across Germany, Europe, and the US, it's time to revisit who’s actively investing in resilience and defence tech. Earlier this year, Project A launched a list of active resilience and defence investors in Europe to help entrepreneurs and investors navigate this fast-evolving space. Thanks to your contributions, it has become a valuable tool. 📲 https://lnkd.in/ePdiQBbP Now, we’re refreshing the list to keep it current. Have there been any updates in the past months? Anyone missing? Let us know in the comments! #DefenceTech #ResilienceTech #Tech #Investors #VC #Defence #Europe

Freedom isn’t guaranteed. The past years have made that clearer than ever. Vigilance is the price of freedom—and democracy is the foundation we must protect. Germany and Europe are at a crossroads. The path forward must be built on strength, unity, and democratic values. Vote. CC Project A, C_SR (Creative Social Responsibility) #ZusammenFürDemokratie #BTW2025 #GermanElections #Elections #Bundestagswahl #WaehlenGehen

If the start into the new year showed one thing: Defence Tech continues to make waves! Here are three things I was watching in January: In Ukraine, an attack on Russian positions using exclusively unmanned technologies commands attention. Ukraine continues to try to offset its numerical disadvantage with drones and uses the battlefield to drive innovation. More here with the Atlantic Council: https://lnkd.in/eQCGUS7h Anduril Industries unveiled its plans for Arsenal-1, a hyperscale factory for defence technology and unmanned systems that is supposed to produce tens of thousands of autonomous systems. A worthwhile read on Anduril Industries and its ambitions under the new US administration is here on The Washington Post: https://lnkd.in/eQFiZUFf In light of these developments, investments in defence tech are not slowing down. Shield AI raised $200mn from VCs Andreessen Horowitz, Point72 and Riot Ventures, but also companies, including Palantir Technologies, Airbus and L3Harris Technologies - bringing its valuation to $5bn, as the Financial Times reports: https://lnkd.in/epKVEWkq The focus on tech companies under the new US administration is definitely playing a role here. Do you think we can see the same development in Europe? I would be interested to hear from you! #DefenseTech #ResilienceTech #Tech #Europe #Resilience #Defence #Defense #Palantir #Anduril #Drones #AutonomousSystems #VC #Ukraine

The Project A Defence Tech Continuum 2.0 is here! Defence investing is no longer a niche topic — it’s one of the most discussed areas in venture capital today. But for many investors, especially in Germany and Europe, the same questions keep coming up: How should VCs navigate this space? What’s possible within existing regulations? Where do we draw the line between dual-use and purely military applications? To bring more clarity, we’re releasing the updated Project A Defence Tech Continuum. This second version dives deeper into the regulatory landscape across different categories, helping investors understand what’s feasible—and where the real opportunities lie. Excited to share this and keen to hear your thoughts! Florian Seibel, Sven Kruck, Marc A. Wietfeld, Sven Weizenegger, Frank Thieser, Jack Wang, Michael Vetter, Frank LEIDENBERGER, Susanne Wiegand, Paola Compés Tatay

Innovation is more important than ever for our security Why? Because Europe and Germany have huge dependencies in technology, that we cannot afford in a rapidly changing world. We need to provide our own answers. So I sat down with Sven Weizenegger and Verena Pausder to make a suggestion on how we can create an innovation friendly ecosystem in defence in Germany. Here are eight recommendations from Project A, the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub and Startup-Verband: - Designing procurement and financial processes beyond peacetime. - Creating Multiple New Pillars in the Defence Industry - Accelerating Initial Procurement with Improved Feedback Loops - Breaking Down Barriers Between Civilian and Military Research - Expanding Access to Financing for Military-Specific Startups - Building Talent Pools for Military Innovation - Promoting Collaboration Between Defence Startups and Established Companies - Strengthening the Cyber Innovation Hub of the Bundeswehr What other recommendations would you have?

STARK’s Swindon factory is now open. Our first UK production site is a huge milestone for our team and for our partners. With the opening of the 40,000 square feet facility, STARK is investing in what truly matters for long-term security: scalable, sovereign production of unmanned systems, resilient supply chains, and high-skilled local jobs. This is how we build industrial deterrence. Thank you to the Minister for the Armed Forces Alistair Carns , National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce, Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker, Ambassador Andrew Mitchell Ambassador Baumann, and Will Stone MP for joining us during this important moment.

What can founders learn from a company that broke every VC rule and still became a unicorn? Quantum Systems is the first European dual-use unicorn. A milestone for the company and for European resilience tech. When we invested at Project A back in 2022, the case wasn’t obvious. Not to the market. Not to everyone internally. Hardware? Defence? A company already seven years old? It broke the VC playbook in every direction. But we had conviction in what the company was set to achieve. Quantum Systems had something rare: ▪️ Engineering quality you could feel the moment you stepped into their facility. ▪️ A mission that only grew more urgent as Europe’s defence realities shifted. ▪️ And the guts to build through friction, not around it. In a new blog post, I share why we backed Quantum early — and the lessons founders can take from companies willing to build before the world catches up. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/e2a6QAdi #QuantumSystems #Unicorn #DualUse

Anduril Industries just published an important piece on how modern defense technology actually gets built. It’s worth reading because it highlights something fundamental: capability doesn’t emerge from perfect plans — it emerges from fast learning loops. Here are some points made by Brian Schimpf and team that resonated strongly with me and all of us: - Breakthroughs don’t come from committees; they come from teams that build, test, learn, and repeat. - The world is changing too quickly for linear, multi-year development cycles — modern defense technology has to evolve continuously. - Real capability is created only when systems leave the lab and enter the hands of operators, where feedback is immediate and unforgiving. - And ultimately, progress requires people who take responsibility by building, rather than commenting from the sidelines. And at STARK, we build. We are only a little more than a year old, but this philosophy has guided us from day one. Before that, I spent years investing in and supporting teams in this domain — and the pattern has always been the same: the people who make a difference are the ones who move fast, learn fast, and iterate relentlessly. That is the culture we’re building at STARK. Our doors are open to everyone who builds — founders, researchers, engineers, operators, and partners across industry, government, and the military. The mission is larger than any one company — and “fight tonight” readiness comes from focusing on what matters together, not against each other. If you want to build, get in touch — we will find common ground. Let’s go.

DefenceTech investing in Europe has tripled in just one year! Twelve months ago, only 44 VCs were active in the resilience and defence space — today, that number has grown to 127. This surge reflects a fundamental shift: European security and resilience are now key priorities for investors. In the latest European Resilience Newsletter, we explore what’s driving this momentum and elaborate on the DefenceTech Continuum 2.0 — a guide for investors navigating this evolving sector within regulatory and ESG boundaries. Because challenges remain. Despite early-stage growth, European startups still struggle to scale compared to their US counterparts. Institutional funding is increasing, but private capital and strategic partnerships are essential to closing this gap. How does Europe catch up in scaling DefenceTech? What role should governments play in supporting startups? Read the full newsletter and make sure to subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/esgZE2XE #DefenceTech #VentureCapital #EuropeanResilience #SecurityInnovation #ResilienceTech #DefTech #Investing

AI-Supported Command and Control: More Than Just a Technical Upgrade Battlefield Management Systems (BMS) have come a long way — but in many cases, they’re still limited by one factor: the human ability to process complexity in real time. That’s where AI can make the leap from back-office support to frontline capability. In the latest European Resilience Newsletter, Linus Wittenburg breaks down how AI can enhance BMS performance across the board: from situational awareness to multi-unit coordination. His piece is the first of a new series on how artificial intelligence can transform tactical command and control. It’s an area where I believe Europe needs to lead — not just follow. Especially as rapid artificial intelligence Development shows how we the technology can supercharge human decision making. Part I is an excellent foundation for anyone working at the intersection of defence, tech, and policy. Curious to hear your thoughts. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/euB25xXS And stay tuned for Part II, where we dive into implementation and use cases. #DefenseTech #AI #BattlefieldManagement #EuropeanSecurity #MilitaryInnovation #C4ISR

In light of TechCrunch‘s recent article on 11x, please see below for Hasan Sukkar‘s very clear response which we at Project A fully support (cc Anton Waitz Mila Cramer Joe Schmidt IV et al)

The future of European defence tech will be pan-European — and that means earning trust across borders. That’s why ARX Robotics expanding to the UK is such a big win. A German company, built by soldiers, now working hand-in-hand with the British Armed Forces and manufacturing locally. This is what real progress looks like in European defence: cross-border, operational, and mission-driven. Proud to back the ARX team at Project A. #DefTech #ARX #UK #Defence #Technology #Resilience #Europe

Europe’s dual-use breakthrough! Quantum Systems has just raised €160 million in Series C funding - becoming Europe’s first dual-use defence tech unicorn. This is a milestone that goes beyond the numbers. It shows that: - Deep tech in Europe can scale - with the right mix of operational relevance, and technical excellence. - Dual-use is not a compromise - it’s a competitive advantage when the systems are built to perform, not just to pitch. - European defence tech is maturing - from early-stage to production-ready platforms with global traction. With deployments in Ukraine, a growing industrial footprint around the globe, and products like Vector and Twister in high demand, Quantum Systems is showing what it takes to lead in this space. We’re proud to back them at Project A and even more proud to see them raise from a cross-sector mix of world-class investors: Balderton Capital, HENSOLDT, Airbus Defence and Space, Bullhound Capital, LP&E AG, HV Capital and many others. Now the real work continues: scaling responsibly, executing relentlessly, and setting a benchmark for what resilient European tech should look like. #QuantumSystems #UnicornStatus

AI in the Sky: Can smarter, autonomous systems secure Europe’s future? This Friday, I’ll be at the START Global Summit in St. Gallen, tackling this question with Sven Kruck from Quantum Systems. Join us as we explore how AI-driven autonomy is reshaping aviation, defence, and beyond: 🧠 "AI in the Sky – The Future Takes Off" 🗓️ March 21, 2025 ⏰ 13:15 – 13:35 CET 📍 Opportunity Stage Got any thoughts or questions for the firechat? Drop them in the comments! #StartSummit #Tech #ResilienceTech #AI #AutonomousSystems #Autonomy #Start25

We got it wrong. Germans are not pacifists! At least this is what Dr. Timo Graf’s research suggests. Dr. Graf is a researcher at the German Military Center for Military History and Social Sciences. His latest research shows: Contrary to pupular belief, Germans are not ideological pacifists. He claims that after years of convenient pacifism, recent world events are giving way to the "the great awakening" and the end of pacifism by default in Germany. He gives three main arguments for this: 1️⃣ Increasing crises around Europe, especially after Russia's annexation of Crimea 2️⃣ The shift in perception of Russia, from partner to threat 3️⃣ And the conclusion that the Bundeswehr and military power needs to play a more active role in Germanys diplomatic portfolio His data is clear: Germany is adapting to a new reality - free of ideology. We wrote more on this in our European Resilience Newsletter, which I’ll link in the comments. Are you also seeing the emergence of a new strategic culture in Germany? Happy to discuss in the comments! #Germany #Resilience #Bundeswehr #Culture #Pacifism #Realism #Europe