It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Darkstar: Win the War. Rearm Europe.

19 October 2026

Summary:

Ragnar Saas is a legend

A serial Founder including Pipedrive a phenomenal angel investor, a committed environmentalist and since the start of Russian invasion of Ukraine a Defence Tech VC and truck driver of supplies to the people of Ukraine.

In this special episode you will hear Ragnar explain the origins of Darkstar and how it isn’t really a VC firm more a Defence Agency.

Darkstar is an estonia based defence and dual use pre-seed and seed fund of 25M focused directly on helping Ukraine win the war and re-arm Europe.

We then dive deep on three portfolio companies:
Farsight Vision and its connections into Delta system
Deftak and its guided bomb solution
and Stratis from Iceland which delivers the weather intelligence drone pilots need

Last but not least we go through the tension every GP feels in the fund and clear next steps on joining the free and highly regarded Darkstar bootcamp.

🔹 Why Darkstar invests in lethal technology, not just dual use
🔹 Why every defence product needs testing in Ukraine
🔹 Farsight Vision: AI on real combat video and the automated kill chain
🔹 A team that spent 16 months rebuilding its product when GPS stopped working
🔹 Stratis: an Icelandic data platform born on a 30-hour drive to Kyiv
🔹 The test every investment has to pass: “Would I join this company as a co-founder?”
🔹 Plans for fund two, and why defence needs more capital at every stage
🔹 The free Darkstar bootcamp in Ukraine, and who should apply
🔹 Why Eric Schmidt deserves a shout-out

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Glazeworks: Building Europe’s Hardware Moonshots

15 September 2026

Summary:

Hardware is hard.

It requires capital, specialist talent, expensive equipment and the ability to bring mechanical, electrical and software engineers together to solve problems that cannot be built behind a laptop.

That is exactly what Glazeworks is building in Tallinn. In this episode of the Protect Europe Podcast, Colin sits down with Kyle, founder of Glazeworks, a hardware venture studio taking on ambitious challenges across electric mobility, autonomous systems, drones and underwater technology.

We talk about:

  • Why Glazeworks is building a venture studio for hardware rather than another traditional startup.

  • How shared engineering talent and expensive equipment can dramatically reduce the barriers to building complex physical products.

  • Why Tallinn and Ülemiste City provide a uniquely attractive environment for hardware innovation and testing.

  • Inside the Glazeworks Lab and “The Oven”, including fabrication facilities, laser cutting and welding, electronics, 3D printing and a dedicated test pool for surface and underwater vehicles.

  • Why Glazeworks is focused on electric mobility, autonomous vehicles, drones and unmanned underwater systems.

  • The ambition behind building a modular electric vehicle chassis that could make it easier and faster to create new vehicles. 

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Skycorp Technologies: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Drones

22 May 2026

Summary:

EPS 41 of the Protect Europe Podcast takes us into how to keep drones in the air for much, much longer. And if you developed that capability, how would the world change! Join Marek Alliksoo, CEO of SKYCORP Technologies, who has turned this science project into something much more exciting.

If you like DeepTech and scrappy startups with huge TAMs, this episode is for you!

We cover:
1) How can you shoot a bullet through a fuel cell
2) The difficulties of getting hydrogen into the cells under pressure
3) How critical infrastructure, such as pipelines, needs drones that can stay in the air
4) What sort of business they are building and how investment from BSV Ventures mattered

TAKEAWAYS:

  • The MacGyver Connection
  • Innovating with Hydrogen Drones
  • The Journey to Hydrogen Fuel Cells
  • Designing for Efficiency and Safety
  • Market Applications and Future Prospects
  • Innovative Hydrogen Solutions for Critical Infrastructure
  • Enhancing Data Productivity with Drone Technology
  • Automating Drone Operations for Continuous Surveillance
  • Building Ecosystems for Energy Security
  • Addressing Safety Concerns in Hydrogen Technology

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Impact Builders: “Impact isn’t soft”

21 May 2026

Summary:

In this conversation, Colin Brown and Jan Lagast discuss the concept of Impact Builders, a public benefit foundation aimed at creating a human-centric capitalism in Europe.

They explore the importance of mission-driven businesses, the need for de-risking supply chains, and the opportunities for investment in Eastern Europe. Jan shares insights on the challenges and strategies for turning around classic industries and emphasises the importance of building new businesses that align with societal impact. The discussion also highlights the role of capital in fostering growth and the significance of strong leadership in shaping a better future for Europe.

Not investment advice! Purely for educational and entertainment purposes.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Impact Builders aims to use businesses for societal good.
  • Public benefit foundations differ from traditional business models and offer long-term benefits.
  • Human-centric capitalism is essential for European growth.
  • Mission-driven companies attract talent and foster engagement.
  • Impact Builders focuses on creating new businesses for Europe.
  • De-risking supply chains is crucial for European industries.
  • Investment opportunities exist for turning around classic industries.
  • Supply changes to get shorter! 

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

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

Why Deep Tech Needs Validation, Not Hype

16 January 2026

Summary

In this conversation, Colin Brown interviews Erik Bhullar from BSV Ventures, discussing the fund’s focus on deep tech investments, the importance of scientific validation, and the unique challenges faced by founders in the tech space. They explore the role of hardware in deep tech, the significance of communication in technology, and how BSV Ventures supports startups in navigating regulatory challenges. The conversation also touches on the fund’s commitment to supporting Ukraine through technology and the admiration for scientific talent in Europe.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • BSV Ventures focuses on deep tech and critical tech investments.

  • The fund size influences the business model and investment strategy.

  • Leading investments involves thorough diligence, even with small checks.

  • Deep tech companies often have a fundamental scientific edge.

  • Health security is intertwined with national security.

  • The Baltic region has a rich deal flow for deep tech.

  • Hardware plays a significant role in deep tech investments.

  • Supporting Ukraine through technology is a priority for BSV Ventures.

  • Investing in scientific talent is essential for future innovations.

     

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Estonia’s “Supervillain” Top Secret Programme

16 January 2026

This conversation examines the role of the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) in Estonia, focusing on its unique university-operated model that accelerates startups. The discussion highlights the importance of mentorship, the significance of Estonia’s position in the startup ecosystem, and the emphasis on defence technology and material sovereignty. Kadri and Artur share insights on the program’s “structure”, the selection of mentors, and the current trends in security.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • CDL accelerates startup ventures through a university-operated model.
  • The program creates a liquid network of startups, mentors, and universities.
  • Estonia is recognized as a land of unicorns, fostering innovation.
  • The CDL program is tailored to the specific needs of startups.
  • Mentorship is crucial for the success of startups in the program.
  • The selection of mentors is based on their current relevance and expertise
  • Defence technology is a key focus area for CDL Estonia.
  • Material sovereignty and energy independence are critical for national security.
  • The program aims to create a diverse range of technologies to address current challenges.

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Can This Tech Fix the Military’s Biggest Weakness?

1 October 2025

In this episode of the Protect Europe Podcast (PEP), Colin Brown talks with Henry Härm and Oliver Tiit two of the co-founders of Wayren, a company focused on providing reliable communication solutions for defense forces.

They discuss Wayren’s vision for the future, the founders’ military backgrounds, current operational challenges, and the importance of reliable communication in modern warfare. The conversation delves into the technical aspects of communication protocols, the impact of packet loss, and the role of hardware in their solutions.

The Founders highlight the feedback from military exercises, the role of strategic partnerships, and the challenges of military procurement.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Wayren aims to revolutionize communication in the defense forces.
  • Reliable communication is essential for effective military operations.
  • The founders’ military experience informs their product development.
  • Current operations focus on scaling sales and production readiness.
  • De-centralized communication systems enhance resilience in the field.
  • Packet loss significantly impacts communication effectiveness.
  • Innovative protocols are needed to handle high packet loss rates.
  • Hardware plays a crucial role in ensuring practical usability.
  • Feedback from military exercises highlights the system’s reliability.
  • Strategic partnerships can enhance sales channels and market reach.