STARK
European defence technology company developing unmanned weapons systems including loitering munitions, unmanned surface vessels, and AI-powered command and control software for NATO allies.
- CEO / Founder
- Uwe Horstmann
- Team Size
- 201-500
- Stage
- Growth Stage
- Total Funding
- $670M
- Latest Round
- Series C
- Key Investors
- Sequoia Capital; Founders Fund (Peter Thiel); NATO Innovation Fund; Project A; Döpfner Capital; Air Street Capital; 201 Ventures; 8VC; Thiel Capital; In-Q-Tel
Technology & Products
Key Products
VIRTUS (OWE-V) loitering munition (eVTOL, 60-min endurance, 100km combat radius, 5kg warhead); VANTA unmanned surface vessels (Vanta-4, Vanta-6); MINERVA C2 software for multi-domain operations; GAMBIT tube-launched effector; CASCADE reconnaissance-strike drone
Technological Advantage
In-house development of critical components including GPS-denied navigation (via Pleno acquisition), AI-powered swarm C2 software (Minerva), proprietary VTOL loitering munition design, and vertically integrated manufacturing across 18,500 sqm in 5 countries.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Rapidly developed, precisely deployed unmanned weapons systems that go from founding to frontline deployment in under 13 months, with AI-enabled, software-defined platforms ready for affordable mass production.
How They Differentiate
European sovereignty focus with combat-proven systems deployed in Ukraine; vertically integrated (hardware + software + manufacturing); 13-month speed from founding to frontline; AI-enabled swarm coordination via Minerva C2; VTOL loitering munition with reusability (can return if no target found).
Market & Competition
Target Customers
NATO member state militaries and their closest partner nations' defence ministries and armed forces
Industry Verticals
Defence & Security; Aerospace
Competitors
Anduril Industries; Helsing; Rheinmetall; Shield AI; Quantum Systems
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Founded 2024; deployed in Ukraine within 13 months; 18,500 sqm production facilities across 5 countries; 300+ employees (2025); €300M+ Bundeswehr contract; €3.2-3.65B valuation (2026)
Major Milestones
2024: Company founded in Berlin; 2025: VIRTUS loitering munition deployed in Ukraine; 2025: Opened 40,000 sq ft factory in Swindon, UK; 2025: €300M Bundeswehr framework contract; 2025: $62M Series A at $500M valuation; 2026: €500M Series C at €3.2-3.65B valuation; 2026: Unveiled CASCADE and GAMBIT drones
Notable Customers
German Bundeswehr; Ukrainian Armed Forces; NATO member states