It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Staunton Partners: Investing in Ukraine

12 April 2026

Summary:

Invested in Ukraine. Investing in Ukraine. On this episode of the Protect Europe Podcast Vesa and Colin are joined by
James Canning-Cooke CEO of Staunton Partners who is “all in” in the country that will become the powerhouse of Europe.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Ukraine’s 20-Year Outlook and Strategic Vision
  • Defence Spending and Future Security
  • Heritage Real Estate and Cultural Investments
  • Ukraine as a River of Opportunity
  • Assessing Risks and On-the-Ground Realities
  • Communicating Ukraine’s True Story to Investors

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

17Tech: From War to Breakthroughs

8 April 2026

Summary:

It was my pleasure to have Sami Luukkonen Co-Founder of 17Tech on the Protect Europe Podcast. I love the three-part arc of Sami’s career. How he is grounded on using his unique skillset and delivering real value for Europe. “Never let a good crisis go to waste”!

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Europe’s high-tech industry and its challenges
  • Defence tech startups and accelerators in Europe
  • The impact of geopolitical conflicts on innovation and how we can couple this with scaling European high-tech companies

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Balnord: Backing the Tech that Actually Matters

28 March 2026

Summary:

It was my pleasure to have Jarek Pilarczyk Partner at Balnord on this weeks Protect Europe Podcast. In each episode we try and bring you exceptional investors and founders who are working super hard to Protect Europe.

TAKEAWAYS:

🇵🇱 Jarek is super impressive! As a founder, his first exit was fighting against IBM.

🇵🇱 Balnord has a blended team of Founders turned Investors and pure Investors with a great backstory and shared history.

🇵🇱 Those writing the early cheques have a huge responsibility to “be right a lot”

🇵🇱 Poland and the CEE are outperforming their peers

🇺🇦 Ukraine is the Epicenter (white hot core) and for those building Military / Defence the temperature cools with every mile away from that frontline.

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Coinvestment is the Strategy

24 February 2026

Summary:

In this episode of PEP, Viktorija Trimbel MD of Coinvest Lithuania, discusses the current hybrid warfare threats facing Lithuania, particularly in aviation, and the resilience of the Lithuanian people in the face of such challenges. She highlights the innovative defense solutions being developed through her venture capital fund, Coinvest, which aims to support startups and foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. The discussion also touches on the importance of patient capital and the unique investment strategies employed by Coinvest to drive growth and innovation in Lithuania.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Lithuania is facing a large number of hybrid attacks from Belarus, impacting aviation.
  • Lithuania has the highest number of hot air balloon pilots per capita.
  • Maintaining humour is essential in challenging situations.
  • Hybrid warfare is a daily concern in Eastern Europe.
  • Lithuania’s history of resilience shapes its current defence strategies.
  • Coinvest operates as a unique sovereign venture capital fund.
  • The fund focuses on co-investment and profit-sharing models.
  • Patient capital allows for longer development periods for startups.
  • The Tough 10 report highlights defence innovations in Europe.
  • Celebrating founders and their contributions is vital for the ecosystem.

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Doubling Down on Defence

27 January 2026

Summary:

In this week’s Protect Europe Podcast (PEP), we dive into the vision and mission of Vishal Gaglani, Co-Founder of Defence Invest, an emerging European venture capital firm focused on defence tech innovation. Defence Invest is a veteran-founded defence technology VC backed by over 60 years of combined military experience and dedicated to transforming the pace and impact of defence innovation in Europe. The firm invests in early-stage, dual-use and defence-first startups that are building technologies critical to modern deterrence, resilience, and strategic autonomy.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Defence Invest is a pan-European early stage (series A & B) investor (50M fund) 
  • The team has strong military capabilities, particularly in the UK and German militaries.
  • Defence Invest is looking at all types of exits, including Private Equity
  • The conversation looked at different models that balance the needs of long-term strategic ownership model, e.g. Berkshire Hathaway / Constellation Group of Defence. 
  • Dual Use as “marketed” is often a confusing misnomer. 
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It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

Why Europe’s needs Sovereign Compute

16 January 2026

Summary

Colin Brown is joined by Jonatan Luther-Bergquist (Inflection) to discuss the concept of Sovereign Compute and the evolving landscape of venture capital in Europe. Jonatan emphasises the importance of cryptography, the challenges in the defence technology sector, and the opportunities presented by space tech. They dive deep on the difficulties in cybersecurity investments and the challenge of building in these highly technical fields.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Sovereign Compute is a critical technology shift in human history.

  • Investment in cryptography is expected to grow due to increasing data security needs.

  • The defense technology sector is evolving but faces bureaucratic challenges.

  • Space technology presents unique investment opportunities, especially with lower launch costs.

  • Cybersecurity remains a challenging market for venture investments.

  • European startups have the talent and potential to compete globally.

  • Hackathons are a valuable tool for connecting tech innovators with defense needs.

  • The fragmented European market can be an advantage for solving specific problems.

  • Founders with conviction and vision are essential for driving innovation.

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

Ukraine’s Defense Startups Are Reshaping European Security

16 January 2026

In this conversation, the founders of Double Tap Investments discuss their vision for the future of Ukraine post-war, their current operations in investing in defense technology, and the unique challenges they face in a war-torn environment. They emphasize the importance of speed, learning, and innovation in their investment strategy, while also addressing trust issues and the impact of their work on European defence.
The discussion highlights the bravery of individuals in Ukraine and the need for a united European front against threats.

 

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Building relationships in Ukraine is crucial for future opportunities.
  • The investment strategy focuses on supporting defence startups in Ukraine.
  • Learning from the Ukrainian experience is a key goal.
  • Speed and adaptability are essential in the current war environment.
  • Trust issues exist, but personal connections help mitigate them.
  • Innovation in defence comes from solving real problems on the ground.
  • The European economy must unite to effectively counter threats.
  • Investing in teams is vital for success in defense tech.
  • The bravery of individuals in Ukraine inspires continued support.

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.