Lakestar

Exciting news for our portfolio company Isar Aerospace who have officially received NCAA Permit for launch and are ready for their first test flight! The time has come, we’re counting down with the team and couldn’t be prouder of Daniel Metzler, Josef Fleischmann and everyone at Isar Aerospace as they prepare for Spectrum’s first test flight, with the launch window open. This milestone marks a significant step toward a more ambitious and sovereign Europe across space exploration and deep tech, and there is more to come! #aersopace #isar #testflight

Great news for our drone software specialists Auterion ! Auterion has officially made it on the a16z list of companies shaping the fight of the future in The American Dynamism 2025 report, along with the other 49 tech companies uniquely positioned to fortify the U.S. in achieving peace through strength. Auterion leads the world in drone software technology, which has shaped both civilian and defensive efforts in the US and Europe in recent years admit a changed geopolitical environment. As investors, we are very proud of Auterion's journey and look forward to following their continued success in advancing unmanned drone software technology for liberal democracies globally. Well done to Lorenz Meier and his team! #defense #drones #software

The 2025 European Deep Tech Report is here! We’re thrilled to share that Lakestar, Walden Catalyst Ventures and Hello Tomorrow, and Dealroom.co have launched The 2025 European Deep Tech Report. The key takeaway? Europe’s deep tech scene is proving to be a real stabilising force in a world full of geopolitical uncertainty and market turbulence. Some exciting insights: - Deep tech in Europe attracted record VC funding, more than €15bn in 2024, outpacing traditional tech investments since 2003. - Deep tech is crucial for Europe to maintain control over essential technologies critical for economic security, defense, and global competitiveness. - This report provides Europe’s tech industry with a roadmap for growth with insights from Dealroom, leading research institutions and industry experts, outlining how we can best scale innovation in Europe, reduce dependence on foreign capital, and secure European technological sovereignty. Lukas Leitner, Deep Tech Investor at Lakestar says: “Our report showcases Europe’s undeniable strength as a research and innovation hub which is essential for driving critical industries forward. We need to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation and secure Europe’s place as a global tech leader. We are grateful for our partners, Walden Catalyst Ventures, Hello Tomorrow, and Dealroom.co for making this report possible, and thankful for our contributors David Baker – #NobelPrizeWinner, Tony Fadell – #IpodInvestor.” For more information: TechCrunch article: https://lnkd.in/dDvbYykX Link to report: https://lnkd.in/etzBhF3a #DeepTech #2025EuropeanDeepTechReport

Exciting news!   UnternehmerTUM has been featured in the Financial Times and named as the #1 Innovation Hub in Europe for the second year running! This is a huge milestone and a testament to the incredible work UnternehmerTUM has been doing to support start-ups, entrepreneurs, and companies across various industries. Congratulations to STATION F and the other 150 hubs comprised in the list!   Ninja Struye de Swielande, Partner and Head of Investor Relations at Lakestar, says: “Incubator programmes are vital in the startup scene for founders with a vision, and UnternehmerTUM is a shining example of how important support hubs are in nurturing young entrepreneurial talent for the benefit of the wider ecosystem, we are a very proud partner.”   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/euWdtQAn   #innovationhub #startups #financialtimes

Last week, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) marked a pivotal moment in the future of Europe’s defence.   As global threats increase, Europe has a unique opportunity to lead in key areas like AI, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems. But to take charge, we need to start building the technologies today that will help shape our security tomorrow.   Lakestar Founder and Chairman, Klaus Hommels sits on the MSC’s Security Innovation Board and says: “Europe needs the self-esteem to recognize its role in defence innovation. The direction is clear—we have to embrace the future of tech-driven security. And investors are beginning to understand that this is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss.”   “At Lakestar, we believe Europe’s strength lies in combining both military and civil tech to stay independent and in control of our future. The world is changing fast, and it’s up to us to step up and lead in innovation.”   Our recently published Resilience Report concludes that now is the time for Europe to lead. Lakestar is proud to support the innovators who are shaping the future of security.   For more information: https://lnkd.in/eizVrS7z   #MunichSecurityConference #DefenseTech #Europe #VentureCapital

Exciting times for European space tech at Isar Aerospace!   Its Spectrum launch vehicle has just completed static fire tests for both stages, officially qualifying it for flight. Final preparations for its first test flight are set to begin - turbocharging Europe’s space ambitions!   Lakestar Founder & Chairman, Klaus Hommels says: “We are incredibly proud of Isar, and their team, who are a testimony to Europe’s sovereignty and resilience. Independent access to space is critical, and Isar is building the foundation for a competitive and sovereign European space industry.”   Congratulations Daniel Metzler, Josef Fleischmann and the magnificent team at Isar! Stay tuned as we countdown for lift-off!   Read more about this major milestone here: https://lnkd.in/gjifBekn   #Space #technology #europe #rocket

Congratulations Reneo!   We are so excited that Reneo has raised €600 million in capital to accelerate the decarbonisation of Germany’s residential real estate market!   Having led their Series A, we’ve been early backers of this incredible team and are tremendously proud to see how much it has grown. “Reneo’s substantial backing shows that investors are seeing great potential in sustainably transforming Europe’s housing sector. This full-stack technology platform is making the green transition both scalable and achievable,” Enrico Mellis, Partner at Lakestar, says. “A special shout-out to Lennart and Alexander for their incredible leadership, and to the entire Reneo team for reaching this important milestone. We can’t wait to see what’s next!” Reneo now counts the support of an exceptional group of co-investors, including Peakside Capital, Goldman Sachs, Ardian, Eurazeo, Foundamental, GOLDBECK, and BAUWENS. Read more about Reneo’s milestone here: https://lnkd.in/dKy-kMpT #realestate #greeninvestment #decarbonisation

Exciting news from our portfolio company, Dexory, at the PIF's Private Sector Forum! Their newly signed MoU with Al Masarat Holding marks a major step toward AI-powered automation in logistics and manufacturing within Masarat Mobility Park, Riyadh.    Christoph Schuh, Partner at Lakestar, says: "We are very proud of Dexory and their expansion into Saudi Arabia. Great to see that our latest Lakestar Middle East Founder trip ended up in a significant partnership for Dexory. We will continue our steadfast support on their journey to shape the future of smart logistics globally."   Congratulations to the Dexory team on this milestone, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is fast becoming a reality!    #AI #Automation #Logistics 

Europe must scale up its defense tech capabilities to safeguard its sovereignty. In a conversation with Maximilian Sachse from FAZ, our Chairman, Klaus Hommels, explains how breakthrough technologies - ranging from AI-driven defense systems to autonomous drones - are reshaping modern defense strategies and why Europe must accelerate its investment in these critical areas. He highlights the urgency of reducing Europe's reliance on outsourced strategic technologies and strengthening its innovation ecosystem. Defense is no longer just about traditional military hardware, it's about leveraging emerging technologies to enhance resilience. A recent Lakestar study finds that increasing defense investments to 3.5% of GDP could unlock a €240 billion market opportunity over the next decade. Find the study here: https://lnkd.in/gYS5JEHY Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e2ry55gG

Exciting News: Lakestar Visiting Analyst Program Returns for H2 2025! 🚀 After the success of our first cohort, we’re thrilled to reopen applications for the Lakestar Visiting Analyst Program! This initiative is all about supporting the next generation of European innovators and operators. With a track record of partnering with groundbreaking companies like Revolut, Spotify, Sennder, Builder.ai, Neko, and Isar Aerospace, we’re excited to bring new talent into our Berlin and London offices. A special shoutout to our H1 2025 cohort members, Theodor and Mickie, who have been integral to our work, from due diligence and founder calls to attending industry events. Their contributions have been invaluable, and we’re excited to see them continue to grow within the program. For more details about the H1 launch, check out our previous post in the comments below. We understand breaking into VC and tech can feel daunting, which is why this program is designed to provide hands-on experience, mentorship, and a network to help you thrive. It’s not just an internship—it’s a launchpad for your future as a founder, operator, or investor. Program Details: ●     Locations: Berlin and London ●     Cohort: H2 2025, running for 5-6 months ●     What You’ll Do: Collaborate with our investment team, participate in founder calls, support due diligence, and attend key industry events ●     Application Period: Opens February 3rd for 2 weeks If you’re driven, curious, and ready to dive into the European tech ecosystem, we’d love to hear from you! Learn more in the attached article and apply via the link in the comments. #Lakestar #VentureCapital #Startups #VC