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20VC: The Future of War: Are We Ready & What Needs to Be Done | China, Russia and Trump: What Happens Now | Raising $828M to Build the Defence Champion of Europe | Torsten Reil, Co-Founder @ Helsing

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Key takeaways

  • Geopolitical awareness and preparedness are critical as potential conflicts loom on the horizon, particularly regarding Russia and China.
  • Modern warfare necessitates innovations such as drones and AI, which offer tactical advantages and cost-effectiveness.
  • The West must reform its defense spending and procurement processes to adapt to rapidly changing geopolitical landscapes and technological advancements.
  • Ambition is essential for European startups to compete on a global scale; growing a culture of larger ambitions is critical to the region's technological sovereignty.

Summary

The Geopolitical Landscape: China, Russia, and Trump

Torsten Reil discusses the critical geopolitical issues surrounding China, Russia, and the implications of a potential Trump administration. He reflects on the invasion of Ukraine and the reaction of Western governments, stressing the necessity for increased defense spending and preparedness for conflicts related to Taiwan. Reil emphasizes that Europe must consider its own sovereignty and security concerns, noting that conflicts are often downplayed despite their significant implications.

Are We Prepared? Defense Strategy and Procurement

In this section, Torsten articulates concerns regarding the West's readiness against adversaries. He suggests that a substantial shift in defense budgets and a reform in procurement processes are necessary to equip democracies for modern warfare. He highlights the importance of speed in defense spending and innovation, emphasizing that outdated procurement methods hinder progress and responsiveness to emerging threats.

The Future of Warfare: Contactless and Autonomous Systems

Reil envisions a future where warfare becomes largely contactless, with a significant reliance on AI and autonomous systems. He highlights the ongoing trends, particularly in Ukraine, where drones play a crucial role in conflict. Torsten discusses the economic implications of drone warfare, emphasizing the cost-efficiency of drone systems over traditional army equipment, which may become unviable under modern conditions.

Europe’s Defense Ambition and Innovation

Torsten expresses that Europe's primary challenge lies in its ambition rather than in capital availability. He argues that cultural attitudes towards entrepreneurship need to shift to encourage larger, more ambitious ventures. He criticizes the perception of geographical advantages and emphasizes the quality of talent present in Europe, advocating for nurturing a more ambitious startup culture capable of addressing significant technological challenges.

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Show notes

Torsten Reil is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Helsing, a new type of defence company providing artificial intelligence to protect our democracies. Torsten has raised over $825M from the likes of Prima Materia, Elad Gil, Accel and General Catalyst. Previously Torsten founded NaturalMotion, one of the UK's most successful games and technology start-ups. Torsten was named as one of MIT's Top 100 Innovators and is a member of the Munich Security Conference Innovation Board.

In Today's Episode with Torsten Reil We Discuss:

1. The World Around Us: China, Russia and Trump:

  • What will happen between China and Taiwan?

  • What will happen between Russia and Ukraine?

  • How will a Trump administration impact the US' commitment to fund European defence?

  • What conflict do people not pay enough attention to in the world today?

2. Are We Ready and What Needs to Be Done:

  • Are the west ready to fight against our adversaries as we stand today?

  • What do we need to do to equip ourselves? 

  • What needs to change in our defence budgets? Where do they need to go?

  • How does the procurement process for defence need to change?

3. The Future of War: 

  • Why does Torsten believe the future of war is contactless?

  • In the next wave of defence, what are the most important elements for allies to own? What elements concern Torsten the most?

  • What role does AI and autonomous play in the future of war?

4. Is Europe F********:

  • Why does Torsten believe that Europe's biggest problem is ambition not capital?

  • Why does Torsten believ that we put too much weight on the location in which companies are founded? Why does it not matter?

  • How does Torsten respond to the statement that we do not have the depth of experienced talent in Europe to recruit?

 

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