Resilience Media, a burgeoning defence technology publication, is making waves in the industry with its unique blend of news, thought leadership, and a mission-driven approach. Founded by former TechCrunch director of international events Leslie Hitchcock and tech entrepreneur Dr. Tobias Stone, the platform has swiftly established itself as a vital resource for those interested in the intersection of innovation and defence.
The publication, which operates on Substack, charges subscribers £8 per month or £80 annually for access to its mix of breaking news and in-depth analysis. Resilience Media’s editorial team, now numbering around ten, includes several former TechCrunch journalists, a testament to the talent pool that has become available following recent industry cutbacks. Among the notable hires are Ingrid Lunden, who serves as managing editor, and former TechCrunch managing editor Matt Burns, who oversees a startup showcase linked to the Resilience Conference.
Hitchcock, speaking to Press Gazette, outlined the publication’s ambitious goal: to become “the publication of record” for the defence technology industry. She emphasised the need for a platform that bridges the gap between investors, founders, government officials, military personnel, and industry experts to foster collaboration in defending democracy. “We felt that there was nobody covering the topic in the way that we felt could be useful, could be valuable to everybody in those sectors and then also beyond,” Hitchcock said. “If we’re going to be in a tricky position in terms of the threat to our democracies from bad actors, then even the general public needs to start understanding what that actually means.”
The publication’s roots trace back to the Resilience Conference held in London last September, which brought together international startups, investors, and customers in the security, defence, and resilience sectors. The conference remains a key revenue stream for the brand, with plans to continue expanding its reach and impact.
Resilience Media’s recent seed funding round has enabled it to bring on board a team of experienced journalists, many of whom are former TechCrunch staffers. This includes editors-at-large such as John Biggs, Natasha Lomas, and Jonathan Shieber, as well as regional correspondents covering the Baltics, Central and Western Europe, and Ukraine. The publication also boasts specialists in cybersecurity and open-source news, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the defence technology landscape.
The investors backing Resilience Media are from NATO or Allied countries, including the UK, the US, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, and Poland. To maintain editorial independence, the publication has established a governance structure that prevents investors from influencing coverage. Additionally, an editorial board comprising representatives from the BBC, Financial Times, and GCHQ provides an extra layer of oversight.
Hitchcock acknowledged the challenges of launching a publication in the current media landscape but highlighted the growing success of niche publications. “It has been really interesting experiencing the rise of more niche publications, or solo journalist publications, with them actually being able to sustain their work based on either their own reputation or focusing on a specific topic,” she said. Resilience Media aims to build a product that people will pay for, whether through subscriptions or sponsorships from mission-aligned organisations.
While Resilience Media started on Substack for its simplicity and the dedicated readership it attracts, Hitchcock has not ruled out exploring other platforms in the future. “Substack is a nice way for people to have their own perspective and points of view and their own branding, but in a somewhat confined environment,” she noted. “The readership that you find on Substack is incredibly dedicated to topics. They’re there asking to receive newsletters on a specific topic. And so we found very strong readership there.”
As Resilience Media continues to grow, it is poised to become a vital resource for anyone interested in the defence technology industry. With its mission-driven approach, experienced team, and commitment to editorial independence, the publication is well-positioned to shape the conversation around innovation and defence in the years to come.
