GrowthCap’s Post

For those of us who are dedicated to innovation in the areas of data security and keeping sensitive information safe and away from fake profiles and hackers with our own technological endeavors such as my primary one, www.go-go-go.world , a very important post to read and review from the United States Department of Defense is below. Go Go Go

Today, I was honored to give a speech at the Defence Innovation Network Finland (DEFINE) & Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE) - seminar in Riihimäki — exciting speeches from defense ecosystems players. Seppo Aaltonen pointed out what Varjo has learned on Defence Growth: 1. Patience required…long and costly cycles 2. Civilian startups can offer speed, innovation and cost-effectiveness 3. Advantage to stay COTS. IPR requires careful consideration 4. Security offering growing in importance 5. Finland has an opportunity as the newest NATO country General Janne Jaakkola asked an essential question: To whom does a defense startup ”call” when it needs an investor? My answer was Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN) – of course 😉. I came up with an idea – we should organize a Defence Pitch Event to bring together all relevant startups and ecosystem partners. If you are interested, let me know. Thank you Ilkka Korkiamäki Jarmo Puputti Jouni Eho Petteri Hemminki Sauli Eloranta Riku Asikainen Markus Ranne

🚀 European #DefenceTech on the rise! German AI start-up Helsing is in talks to raise 500 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑜𝑛, potentially tripling its valuation to 4.5 billion. This surge highlights growing interest in #AIDefence as global conflicts drive investment in military suppliers. Silicon Valley giants Accel and Lightspeed are eyeing their first foray into defense tech with this investment. Helsing's AI-powered battlefield intelligence is turning heads. Could this mark a new era for #EuropeanTech in the defense sector? 🤔 https://lnkd.in/gUseKAHn MilitaryTech #TechInvestment #AIStartups

Thrilled to have represented the UK Ministry of Defence, jHub Defence at Capital Factory during SXSW, where Defence technology has truly taken centre stage over the past three days! 🚀 The collaborative model at Capital Factory, uniting NavalX, AFWERX, Army Applications Laboratory and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in #austintx, serves as a great blueprint for how the UK Defence innovation ecosystem could operate. The Venture Capital community's growing endorsement in the sector underscores a potent force propelling the ecosystem through mission-focused investing. Admittedly, it’s a stronger force within the USA currently, but the tide is changing in the UK and Europe. The UK stands to gain invaluable insights from this approach, and I am eager to contribute towards realising that potential. I look forward to working with our partners in Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and In-Q-Tel in making that happen. #DefenceTech #Innovation #EconomicGrowth #VC #USGov #DIU https://lnkd.in/eb8RqBGf

More than 200 representatives from AFWERX and SpaceWERX visited Pittsburgh to describe their vision for defense projects emanating from a city that has long contributed to the war effort. “Technology is transforming our way of life,” said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and chief commercialization officer for the United States Department of the Air Force. “If we don't get behind that wave, and also realize that that is going to transform the way we engage in warfare, we'll be behind.” In 2022, AFWERX launched a Pittsburgh innovation hub as a result of the heightening activities in the surrounding region, which has helped to create a center for technology, innovation, and development for both the United States Air Force and the United States Space Force. Phil Hahn, chief strategy officer for AFWERX, states that last week’s visit helped cement Pittsburgh’s strengths in the minds of Air Force leaders. Pittsburgh startups are increasingly using United States Department of Defense dollars to jump-start their development of technology. AFWERX has awarded more than 50 contracts to 22 Pittsburgh area companies since 2021, totaling more than $36 million. Read more here: https://ow.ly/xlPg50RG9Fb . . . #AFWERX #SpaceWERX #USAF #DAF #USSF #DoD #Pittsburgh #technology #innovation #development

The new NATO - Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) (dual-use) incubator announced its first batch of start-ups. https://lnkd.in/eG-yqvje 30 out of 44 are 🇪🇺: 7 from the UK, 3 from IT and the NL and the others from different countries. Europe’s largest economy, Germany 🇩🇪 is not at all represented, France 🇨🇵 with only a single start-up. Amid the changing geopolitical landscape, it is key that Europe develops world-class technologies that help us safeguard our values and principles. Investment into dual-use technology is the insurance for our future European wellbeing. Large countries like Germany and France need to step-up and take a leadership role. Here’s a great summary of how #DefTech spearheaded innovation https://lnkd.in/eAUxJTVc #venturecapital #deeptech #europe #future

Vets to VC. Great piece highlighting Groundswell investors Kelly Perdew and Craig Cummings of Moonshots Capital. Amazing investors and even better people. Veterans aren’t just crushing it as VCs, they’re also crushing it as founders. Look at guys like Blake Hall and Sonny Tai, just two among dozens that I follow and admire. #military #veterans #vc #venture #founder #entrepreneurship

Another great discussion from War on the Rocks, covering defence #innovation and ways to accelerate commercial adoption of emerging technologies in the #space, #AI and #cyber domains. Raj Shah shares his insights from his time with #DIUx and as a venture capitalist. He discusses ways in which #defence can move from first meetings to contracting with #technology firms in under 90 days and get to full production shortly thereafter. This is particularly important for #founders and startups who provide incredible new capabilities and try to avoid the valley of death presented by lengthy procurement cycles. I was particularly struck by the comments made about well meaning, but disincentivized bureaucrats (uniformed and civilian) who are fully committed to the defence mission and have the authorities and policy flexibility to move faster but are driven to ‘avoid risks’ by slowing projects down. They are working within a system that is designed for buying big pieces of hardware that defence will keep for a long time, but that is not the case with #software. By failing to embrace available manoeuver space in the policy realm procurement officers are inadvertently transferring the risk from the cubicles of defence HQs to commanders in the field. This is an important discussion for the Future Defence Industrial Base – where digital native companies now operate alongside traditional OEMS to provide mission essential capabilities for the Armed Forces. Have a listen... ONE9 Glenn Cowan Michael Smith #defense #digitalgovernment #innovation #procurement

ROTEM MEY-TAL from IsraelDefense discusses the untapped potential of venture capital in military and defense technologies. Despite Israel’s innovation in military tech, there is a void in VC funds dedicated to this sector. Explore the opportunities and challenges in this strategic investment area. https://lnkd.in/ezmBf-ac #defensetechnology #defensetech

Thrilled to share my thoughts in the latest Sifted article by Anne Sraders on the evolving landscape of dual-use and defence tech investments. As we navigate this complex sector, it's crucial for VCs to adopt a philosophical stance that aligns with the realities of funding technologies with both civilian and military applications. 👉 Check out the full article for more insights on how VCs are tackling the challenges and opportunities in dual use tech: https://lnkd.in/dfJHXzhs #DefenceTech #VentureCapital #DualUseTechnology #EthicalInvesting