Europe’s defense tech has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors over the past few years, with startups like Helsing and Quantum Systems leading the charge. The industry’s growth has sparked intense competition for talent as startups strive to acquire specialists who can navigate the complex intersection of technology and modern warfare. The question everyone is asking: where is the talent fueling these companies coming from?
How Defense Tech Became Europe’s New Frontier
The rise of defense-focused startups like Helsing and Quantum Systems is no coincidence. Global instability and evolving warfare tactics have pushed governments and private investors to prioritize Europe's security ecosystem. As a result, once-reluctant tech founders are now embracing defense innovation, signaling a cultural and economic shift. This change has positioned the sector as both a moral imperative and a lucrative business opportunity.
Helsing, a German AI company creating software for defense decision-making, reported a major funding milestone in 2023 with a €223 million Series B. Quantum Systems, also based in Germany, focuses on surveillance drones and raised €35 million in 2022. Both companies share a surprising commonality: their reliance on ex-military and aerospace talent to scale their operations.
Analyzing the Talent Flow to Defense Startups
A recent analysis by executive recruitment platform The Big Search uncovered striking insights into how and why top talent is flocking to these startups. Here's a detailed look at the key statistics:
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Ex-Military at the Helm
For Quantum Systems, a substantial 45% of senior hires in technical and product development roles were recruited from military or defense agencies by 2025. This includes engineers and strategists from Germany’s Bundeswehr and NATO. Their first-hand combat knowledge enables the rapid development of real-world solutions for national security challenges. -
Shared Aerospace Expertise
Helsing and Quantum Systems have successfully attracted experts from aerospace leaders like Airbus, Boeing, and Thales. These professionals understand advanced systems integration for mission-critical technologies. Their insights into aviation and defense infrastructure are instrumental in maintaining a competitive edge. -
AI and Data Pioneers
Helsing prioritizes talent with experience in artificial intelligence, historically sourced from academic institutions and private tech giants. While universities like TUM (Technical University of Munich) continue to churn out AI-focused PhDs, an increasing portion of specialists prefers applied, impactful work, causing them to shift from corporate roles to startups. -
Intelligence Agencies Contributing Leaders
Talent from organizations such as the BND, Germany’s intelligence agency, and specialist units within the Ministry of Defense are now filling strategic roles as startups attempt to bridge gaps between data analysis and field operations.
Lessons from Helsing and Quantum Systems
Startups like Helsing and Quantum Systems are reimagining their recruitment strategies, focusing on hybrid talent with experience in both tech and defense. For entrepreneurs considering entering this market, here are key lessons:
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Focus on Practical Expertise
A PhD in AI means very little without an ability to apply algorithms to real-world data streams. Both companies demonstrate the ability to identify specialists who can translate theoretical knowledge into battlefield-ready tools. -
Building Dual-Use Teams
The combination of civilian tech expertise and military experience creates a balanced team capable of addressing both product innovation and ethical implications of defense work. -
Leverage Government Partnerships
Aligning with government-backed projects not only builds credibility but provides continuous feedback loops critical to talent retention. Helsing, through its work on European intelligence initiatives, has opened pathways to prestigious hires.
Tips for Entrepreneurs Entering Defense Tech
Growth in defense startups doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re looking to build a team, here’s how to get started:
- Recruit Beyond Tech Giants: Your best product engineers might not be at Google or Amazon. They could be operating surveillance systems from a military base or working at regional specialties like cybersecurity centers in Estonia.
- Prioritize Mission-Driven Hires: Many engineers and researchers are increasingly motivated by meaningful work. Emphasize how your product contributes to national or global safety.
- Craft a Vision That Respects Ethical Boundaries: Defense tech can draw criticism. By clearly articulating how your company addresses governance and humanity’s safety, you can secure both talent and government support.
- Engage Universities Strategically: Ask professors and researchers for referrals , many postgraduates are seeking applied work in defense post-graduation.
Startups experience rapid evolution, and personnel must evolve alongside them. Preparing a technological roadmap without matching it with the right people could spell disaster.
Common Mistakes in Startups Recruiting Defense Talent
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Overlooking Government Processes
Assuming talent from the public sector will transition seamlessly is naive. Many hires will require training to adapt to private sector deliverables and culture. -
Ignoring Long-Term Retention
Early startups often focus solely on acquisition. Without ongoing mentorship or clear growth paths, even the brightest recruit can quickly feel undervalued. -
Lack of Diversity
A homogeneous hiring process could cripple a startup, especially when tackling complex geopolitical landscapes. Prioritize education and diversity when building your defense-first team. -
Expecting Quick Results
Talent integration can take months. Startups overlooking onboarding processes or skill alignment waste both time and salaries.
By refining their approach, startups avoid the pitfalls of short-sighted hiring decisions.
What Does the Future of Defense Startups Look Like?
The defense tech industry in Europe isn’t just evolving; it’s exploding. With military-backed experience shifting into startup ecosystems, companies are becoming more agile. This surge in expertise is elevating defense startups, enabling partnerships with major European primes like Leonardo and Rheinmetall while putting pressure on traditional defense giants.
However, the real battle lies in staying competitive within this talent war. Companies like Helsing have raised record funding rounds and built prestigious partnerships. Quantum Systems disrupts the defense drone market with its small but high-impact team. Both understand that attracting specialized talent requires not just salaries, but sustainable missions.
Final Thoughts
For entrepreneurs, the message is clear: defense tech is no longer a niche sector, it’s a rapidly growing opportunity for those able to build the right teams at the right time. By combining military experience with cutting-edge AI and engineering talent, startups like Helsing and Quantum Systems demonstrate how to scale businesses while influencing global security.
With growing investor interest and government backing, the road ahead for European defense startups looks lucrative, but it will be defined by their ability to win the ultimate battle: the fight for talent.
FAQ
1. Why has Europe’s defense tech sector grown rapidly in recent years?
Europe's defense tech sector has expanded significantly due to global instability and changing warfare tactics. Governments and private investors have prioritized security, leading to a reinvigoration of the sector. Learn more about Europe’s defense tech growth
2. Which companies are leading the defense tech boom in Europe?
Companies like Helsing and Quantum Systems are at the forefront. Helsing focuses on AI-driven software for defense, while Quantum Systems specializes in surveillance drones. Learn about Helsing and Quantum Systems
3. Where does defense startup talent typically come from?
Startups are attracting ex-military personnel, aerospace engineers, and AI experts from institutions like Germany's Bundeswehr, NATO, Airbus, and Thales. This blend provides technical expertise tailored to defense needs.
4. What makes Helsing unique in the defense ecosystem?
Helsing leverages AI for decision-making in defense scenarios and has raised €223 million in Series B funding to expand its applications. Explore more on Helsing’s impact
5. How has Quantum Systems succeeded in recruiting top talent?
Quantum Systems fills nearly 45% of its senior roles with individuals from military or defense backgrounds, blending firsthand combat knowledge with technical innovation. Learn more about Quantum Systems
6. What role do universities play in shaping defense tech talent?
Universities like TUM (Technical University of Munich) produce AI-focused talent that often shifts from academia or traditional tech roles to startups seeking hands-on applications.
7. What are the recruitment strategies employed by defense startups?
Defense startups focus on hiring hybrid talent with dual capabilities in technology and military expertise. They also forge partnerships with governments to gain credibility and attract skilled professionals.
8. Why is dual-use technology important for hiring in defense tech?
Dual-use technologies, which serve both military and civilian applications, attract talent interested in ethical applications and broader societal impact.
9. What are startups like Helsing and Quantum Systems doing to retain talent?
These companies prioritize mission-driven work, provide career development opportunities, and align their visions with national security objectives.
10. What challenges do European defense startups face in the hiring process?
Challenges include talent shortages, adapting recruits from public to private sector dynamics, and ensuring diversity in teams for addressing complex global issues.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
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Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
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Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
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Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
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Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.