Veterans are reshaping Europe’s defence technology sector, bringing frontline experience to the boardroom and lab as the Ukraine war fuels unprecedented investment. Their expertise is proving invaluable in developing battle-tested solutions that meet real-world demands, while venture capital funding surges to record levels.
A Reuters analysis reveals that veterans lead a quarter of Europe’s 80-plus defence startups, yet the CEOs of the region’s top 10 defence contractors tend to lack military backgrounds. This disparity highlights the unique value veterans bring to the table—experience that can mean the difference between mission success and failure.
Matt Kuppers, a former German army officer and co-founder of venture capital firm Defence Invest, offers a prime example. When evaluating an Austrian startup’s anti-drone system, he identified a critical flaw: the heated gun barrel lost accuracy after prolonged firing—a detail civilian engineers had overlooked. “This is something an experienced infantry soldier would instinctively account for by adjusting their aim,” Kuppers said. His insight underscores how military expertise can refine and improve defence technology before it reaches the battlefield.
The war in Ukraine has accelerated demand for tested solutions, from kamikaze drones to AI-powered battle-planning software. Veterans, with their firsthand knowledge of combat realities, are uniquely positioned to guide startups in developing effective tools. Marc Wietfeld, a former German officer who founded unmanned ground vehicle maker ARX Robotics, put it bluntly: “You can’t solve a problem you don’t know—one you’ve never felt yourself.”
This surge in veteran-led innovation is backed by record venture capital investment. VC funding in defence tech hit $5.2 billion in 2024, a more than 500% increase from pre-war levels, according to data from the NATO Innovation Fund and Dealroom. The influx of capital, coupled with rising NATO defence budgets, has created fertile ground for soldier-entrepreneurs.
Emmanuel Jacob, president of the European Organisation of Military Associations and Trade Unions, noted that long-serving soldiers are joining defence startups at the fastest pace he has seen in his 40-year career. Their military procurement knowledge is invaluable, helping startups navigate complex defence contracts and ensuring their products meet operational needs.
The low barrier to entry for drone technology has further fueled this startup boom. Florian Seibel, a former German helicopter pilot, co-founded Quantum Systems, now valued at $1 billion, and launched Stark, another drone company. Other veteran-led ventures include Arondite, founded by a British Army officer developing battle-planning software, and BlinkTroll, run by former Norwegian soldiers producing military training equipment.
Francisco Serra-Martins, an ex-Australian Army combat engineer and co-founder of Ukraine-based Terminal Authority, emphasised that veterans bring more than just development expertise. “Veterans see firsthand what solutions are missing on the battlefield, and have a deep understanding of what works, and what is hype and marketing,” he said. This credibility resonates with customers, particularly in a conflict zone like Ukraine, where battlefield-tested solutions are critical.
The rapid pace of innovation is also driven by AI tools that accelerate product development. However, the expertise gap remains critical when lives are on the line. Viktoriia Honcharuk, a Ukrainian soldier with the 3rd Assault Brigade, recounted how an unmanned vehicle that looked promising on paper failed at the front lines, wasting 300,000 euros. “I wish more companies were founded by military people,” she said.
As Europe’s defence tech sector continues to evolve, the role of veterans will be pivotal. Their ability to bridge the gap between military needs and technological innovation ensures that the solutions developed are not only cutting-edge but also combat-ready. This trend is likely to shape the future of defence technology, driving collaboration between the military and private sector to meet the challenges of modern warfare.