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

Bodyguards for Satellites

9 February 2026

Summary:

In this week’s Protect Europe Podcast (PEP), Colin Brown and Neil Buchanan, Co-Founder of Lodestar Space go deep (pun intended) on what it takes to build a hard tech company from scratch.

Lodestar Space is focused on building “bodyguards for satellites” or to put it another way “fully autonomous AI fighter pilots for space”.

TAKEAWAYS:

For the last five to 10 years, the public has been unaware of the threats to satellite infrastructure
We should have solved the vulnerabilities in space years ago.
If conflict arises, the West will lose quickly in space.
There is a growing dependency on satellite systems for everyday functions.
The current state of space security is a significant vulnerability.
Future conflicts may extend beyond Earth into space.
Building an orbital bodyguard is essential for protection.
The failure to address these issues impacts those in uniform.
The reliance on GPS and timing systems is increasing.
Proactive measures are necessary to defend our satellite infrastructure.

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.