#Netherlands #Amsterdam #Seed Funding #Onodrim Industries #European Defence

Onodrim Industries Secures Major Seed Funding

Onodrim Industries, a groundbreaking defence technology firm headquartered in Amsterdam, has announced it successfully raised €40 million in seed funding. This significant investment round was spearheaded by prominent investors, including Founders Fund, Lakestar, and General Catalyst, along with contributions from other esteemed funds and angel investors from across Europe and the United States.

Building a Strong Defence Foundation

With this financial backing, Onodrim is poised to develop the essential infrastructure for a robust European defence ecosystem. Focusing on addressing critical national security concerns—from securing borders to ensuring resilient supply chains for mission-critical systems—the company aims to enhance various technological frontiers, including defence manufacturing, multi-domain sensing, and advanced networked systems. These advancements are essential for fortifying deterrent capabilities, increasing operational readiness, and fostering seamless interoperability among European and allied military forces.

The leadership team at Onodrim is equipped with extensive experience drawn from notable defence, technology, and industrial organizations. The co-founding duo includes Aistis Šimaitis, a former advisor to the Lithuanian Government and technology expert at Palantir Technologies, now assuming the role of CEO. Joining him is Alexander Blessing, a former engineering leader at Palantir, who will serve as the Chief Technology Officer. Together, they embody a wealth of knowledge and insight necessary to spearhead this initiative.

A Vision for a Peaceful Future

Aistis Šimaitis articulated the mission of Onodrim saying, "Our goal is to help secure a future of peace in Europe." He emphasized the urgent need for nations to adapt to the swiftly shifting nature of global conflicts, especially highlighted by the ongoing situation in Ukraine. He advocates for rebuilding defence capabilities from the ground up, developing the specific hardware, software, and industrial abilities required for Europe to effectively deter threats, defend sovereignty, and maintain leadership in a tumultuous world.

Alexander Blessing echoed this sentiment by emphasizing the importance of engineering prowess and large-scale manufacturing in safeguarding Europe's security. He remarked, "In challenging times, contributing your skills to defence is not merely an option; it's a compelling avenue to cultivate a safer and more stable Europe." The ambition is to unify leading engineers from disparate fields—software, manufacturing, and defence—to enhance the technological framework underpinning Europe's resilience.

Seizing a Historic Opportunity

Christian Garrett, another co-founder who identifies as Italian-American, expressed his conviction in Europe's inherent strengths, insisting that its manufacturing competencies should bolster the collective strength of the West. With a projected €800 billion earmarked for defence expenditures by 2030, Garrett believes this moment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to maximize the impact of such investments on Europe’s security and industry.

"Through Onodrim, we aim to unite people and technology to enhance European resilience and readiness for future challenges, ensuring that Europe emerges as a fundamental pillar in the Western defence industrial network," Garrett stated.

Driving Innovation in Defence

Using this new funding, Onodrim plans to expedite product development, recruit leading engineering talent, and establish fresh manufacturing and research & development capabilities throughout Europe.

Klaus Hommels, chairman of Lakestar, pointed out that Onodrim symbolizes a new wave of innovative defence solutions originating from Europe. His confidence in the team stems from their combination of exceptional technical talent and a visionary approach to reinforcing Europe’s defence infrastructure, which he believes will prove key to ensuring peace and security in the coming century.

Similarly, Jeannette zu Fürstenberg, President of General Catalyst, emphasized the critical need for Europe to rebuild its strategic capabilities. She believes Onodrim is instrumental in creating vital tools and infrastructure for maintaining European security in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Conclusion

As governments prioritize defence spending and technology development, Onodrim Industries stands at the forefront of a prospective revolution in Europe’s defence sector. The company's proactive initiatives reflect a deep understanding of the contemporary challenges in security and industrial resilience, positioning them as a pivotal player in safeguarding the future of Europe.

For further details, visit Onodrim Industries.