This week, sensor specialist HENSOLDT invited the nine start-up companies selected for the FCAS accelerator to the kick-off event of the associated bootcamp in Taufkirchen, Germany, at HENSOLDT Ventures. HENSOLDT's Chief Strategy Officer Celia Pelaz opened the two-day event. In her speech, she particularly addressed the fact that the FCAS accelerator represents a paradigm shift in defence innovation management.
Other keynote speakers included Emmanuel Thome, CPT program manager for the Next Generation Weapon System as part of FCAS, Christopher Wagener of the German Federal Agency for Equipment, Information, Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), and Margot McDonell and Chris Gillian representing the NATO accelerator DIANA. The bootcamp, which now runs through December 2023, promises to be a dynamic and educational experience for all participants and is another step toward innovation for FCAS.
“We have laid the foundations for an exciting bootcamp here. We have selected the start-up companies that we consider particularly promising to participate,” said Head of HENSOLDT Ventures Moritz Pichler.
The event had the clear intention of presenting the bootcamp's comprehensive programme and giving the representatives of the participating companies the opportunity to network intensively with each other as well as with the organisers HENSOLDT and Starburst. The presentations offered valuable insights into the world of start-ups and entrepreneurship in the security and defence industry. Of course, the discussions were focused on FCAS and its elements but also on the dual-use ecosystem to be created and go-to-market strategies.
