It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

TechWars: How Technology is Rewriting Defense!

15 May 2026

Summary:

Marc L Lange joins Martti Wallin and Colin Brown to dive deep into the European Defense scene.

Fundamentally, “strength leads to strength,” and “the way you buy determines the suppliers you get” are common themes.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Europe’s Defense Capability Needs
  • Performance-Based Procurement in Defense
  • Examples of Innovative Procurement Programs
  • Challenges in Drone Production and Logistics
  • Alliance Contracting and Its Relevance
  • The Importance of Training and Operational Readiness
  • Future of Defense Procurement and Investment
  • Investing in Ukrainian AI Drone Companies
  • Operational Autonomy and Military Needs
  • Production as a Capability
  • Deterrence and Political Decision-Making
  • Market Signals and Dual-Use Technologies

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Sparkmind Invested EPS 6: Helsing, Nordic Compass and Einride

14 May 2026

Summary:

In this episode, Martti Wallin Christopher Lyrhem, and Colin Brown unpack three events and talk to the investor trends behind them.

Helsing’s rumoured capital raise of 1.2B at a 18B valuation from existing investors Dragoneer and Lightspeed.

The launch of Nordic Compass
which is the attempt of Nordic manufacturing to coordinate better to lead Europe not just in re-arming but in re-industrialising.

Bringing the episode home, we dug into Sweden’s Einride and their impending IPO.
Einride is delivering on the electrification of everything agenda initially in trucks and that means anything ground based.

This show is not investment advice, but it is entertaining and hopefully optimised for insights per minute.

Enjoy the episode!!!

TAKEAWAYS:

Helsing:

  • Raising 1.2B a year after their previous raise in summer 2025.
  • Valuation allegedly 18B which compares to a 61B valuation of Anduril.
  • Backed by Lightspeed and Dragoneer rather than big European funds as far as we can tell.
  • Contrast with the whole Ukraine defence industry. 
  • Shows that Europe is pricing in defence.

Nordic Compass:

  • Co-ordinate the major players in industry.
  • Big names but its too early to say what will they actually do.
  • One opportunity could be blending capital, Ukraine tech and re-industrialising Europe.
  • Nordics are 10% of the European population but one third of Europe’s landmass. 12th largest economy in the world.

Einride:

  • Electrification of everything trend
  • Trucking / ground transport huge markets
  • Fantastic to see a Nordic company really pushing the frontiers to take on this big space.
  • SPAC in the US markets is a blessing and a curse. Blessing because its the “marketing effect” and curse because we are still reliant on US capital to support this sort of bet.

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Occam: Autonomous Edge Drones

10 May 2026

Summary:

Gui Wainwright shares his eclectic journey from NATO machine learning consulting to founding Occam, a company developing autonomous AI for military drones that are being rolled out in Ukraine. This Protect Europe Podcast is not to be missed!

This product might change the tide in Ukraine’s favour. 

TAKEAWAYS:

  • The Evolution of Ambitions: From Big Ideas to Real Impact
  • Paternity Leave and the Call to Action
  • Building a Team: The Role of Antler in Occam’s Formation
  • The Cadence of Innovation: Measuring Success in Real-Time
  • Navigating Challenges and Building Resilience
  • Never allowing people to put their lives on the line for a demo

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Cloudberry VC: “Most VCs won’t understand you”

3 May 2026

Summary:

Rene Kromhof, General Partner at Cloudberry VC is the sort of investor we love. Deeply immersed in the industry in which he is investing and channels his Netherlands directness into every great conversation.

Cloudberry VC is Europe’s first dedicated semiconductor fund. Backing the founders building the future of computing from Europe.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Introduction to CloudBerry VC and René’s Background
  • Investment Thesis of CloudBerry VC
  • Key Investment Criteria: IP and Design For Manufacturing
  • Navigating the Challenges of Hardware Development
  • The Finnish Semiconductor Ecosystem
  • Identifying Opportunities in Semiconductor Startups
  • Leveraging Strategic Partnerships of LPs for Success
  • The Five S’s of Venture Capital
     

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Forg3D: Reindustrialising Europe!

29 April 2026

Summary:

Colin Brown and Richard Mincher Founder and CEO of Forg3D discuss how to bring manufacturing closer to the customer.

In this episode of the Protect Europe Podcast, we dive deep into innovative metal 3D printing technology, Forg3D’s company’s strategic location in Sheffield, and the future of reindustrialisation in Europe.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Transition to 3D Printing and Metal Manufacturing
  • The Evolution of Welding and Metal Processing
  • Richard’s Background and Family Business Influence
  • Brand and its significance
  • Business Structure and Growth Strategy
  • Challenges in the European Investment Landscape
  • Welding holds the world together—literally.
  • Titanium is the wonder material for extreme applications.
  • Data in metal manufacturing unlocks new possibilities.
  • Why Sheffield? The Strategic Choice
  • Building a Team and Raising Funds

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Defence Procurement: How you buy matters!

27 April 2026

Summary:

Colin Brown and Martti Wallin dive deep with Eva Sula, a Defence Strategic Advisor based in Estonia.

This episode of the Protect Europe Podcast features an in-depth discussion on defence collaboration, procurement reforms, innovation, and the role of political leadership in shaping military capabilities.

Eva and Martti share insights on overcoming bureaucratic hurdles, fostering innovation, and enhancing regional defence cooperation.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Challenges in Military Procurement
  • The Role of Russia in Shaping Defence Strategies
  • Learning from Ukraine and Adapting Strategies
  • Political Leadership and Procurement Mechanisms
  • The Role of Lobbying in Defence
  • Navigating Export Controls and Regulations
  • Integration Challenges with Prime Contractors
  • The Need for Healthy Competition: Startups vs Established Primes 

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

25 April 2026

Maersk: The Box that Built the World

In this episode of Category Leaders, Colin Brown and Martti Wallin take a trip around the world to understand the evolution of global trade through the history of Denmark’s finest Maersk. 

This episode takes us from oil, to containers, to terminals and integrated logistics. From the invention of the container to the standardisation that the Vietnam War brought.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • A family of 10 builds a generational business.
  • Maersk rides the tailwinds of WW1  and survives WW2 damaged but not out!
  • Oil becomes its first great growth engine.
  • The container is invented to counter “break bulk” shipping and reduces cost by 94%
  • The Vietnam War brings standardisation to container shipping and the world changes around the box.
  • The co-ordination dosen’t stop at the port.
  • Maersk scales the stack and chooses to move beyond the boat.
  • Cyber attack, Covid and geopolitics test Maersk’s architecture.
  • Family governance is critical to longevity.
  •  

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Airvolve: Flying Car meets International Rescue

21 April 2026

Summary:

Colin Brown and Martti Wallin dive deep with Donatas Gendvilas, the CEO and Co-Founder of Airvolve-aero, a Lithuanian startup that is replacing the helicopter with an electric car-meets-international rescue machine.

Discover how they are leveraging off-the-shelf components, navigating regulatory challenges, and aiming to revolutionise rescue and transportation operations across the globe.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • The Problem with Helicopters
  • Challenges in Aircraft Development
  • The Team Behind the Technology
  • Transitioning from R&D to Manufacturing
  • Innovative Aircraft Control Mechanisms
  • Navigating Regulatory Landscapes
  • Market Opportunities in India and Beyond

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Luminova Ventures: “Where Innovation Meets Power”

20 April 2026

Summary:

Olga Chabr Grillova, General Partner at Luminova Ventures, shares her journey into venture capital, focusing on deep tech investments in Europe and the US. She discusses fund strategies, sourcing deals, and the importance of understanding defence procurement and technology ecosystems.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Introduction and Olga’s background
  • Olga’s journey into venture capital and fund strategy
  • Team composition and partner roles
  • Fund size, ticket range, and investment focus
  • Geographical focus and deal sourcing strategies
  • Deep tech domains: space, cyber, and resilience
  • Deal criteria: stage, team, revenue, and validation
  • Vetting startups: technology, references, and testing
  • Building a fund profile and sourcing network
  • Why Texas and US hubs matter for defence startups
  • European tech ecosystems: Czech Republic and beyond

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Stockholm Water Technology: Water from Sunlight

14 April 2026

Summary:

Find the thing that you are singularly best at doing in the whole world and do that with intensity.

Karthik Kunjali is one of those founders. A person whose journey has given him the skills and experiences to take on one of the hardest and possibly most impactful challenges in the world! 

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Karthik’s journey
  • Transition “from” Solar to Water Treatment
  • Founding Stockholm Water Technology
  • Challenges in Traditional Water Treatment
  • Challenges in Stage-Based Financing
  • Innovative Projects in Saudi Arabia