Klaus Hommels, the founder of venture capital firm Lakestar, has raised a $300 million [1] resilience fund to support European defence-tech start-ups.
The move highlights a growing urgency for the European continent to secure its own technological infrastructure. By backing dual-use technologies, those with both civilian and military applications, the fund aims to prevent a critical security gap in the region.
Hommels said that Europe has become overly dependent on technology from the U.S. This reliance creates a strategic vulnerability, particularly as geopolitical tensions shift and the need for rapid technological adaptation increases.
The $300 million [1] fund is designed to scale domestic companies that can provide alternatives to American software and hardware. By investing in local innovation, Lakestar intends to strengthen the industrial base of the European Union, and its allies.
Defence-tech has traditionally seen less venture capital interest in Europe compared to the U.S. However, the shift toward "resilience" reflects a broader trend of integrating private capital into national security strategies.
Hommels said the fund will focus on start-ups capable of delivering dual-use solutions. These technologies are seen as essential for maintaining sovereignty over critical digital and physical infrastructure, a goal that requires significant capital to compete with established global players.
“Lakestar has raised a $300 million resilience fund to support European defence-tech start-ups.”
This investment signals a pivot toward 'technological sovereignty' in Europe. By focusing on dual-use technology, private investors are attempting to bridge the gap between commercial innovation and military necessity, reducing the risk that European security remains contingent on the export policies or stability of U.S. tech providers.
