In a significant development for drone defense technology, Inleap Photonics has successfully secured €20 million in seed funding. This German deeptech startup is at the forefront of developing high-precision laser beam steering systems designed to neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The funding round was led by UVC Partners with additional participation from HTGFBalnordSentris and Scale Capital.
The investment will enable Inleap Photonics to scale its technology for both military applications and the protection of civilian and critical infrastructure including airports, energy facilities, and data centers. This comes at a time when the demand for counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) is on the rise, driven by the increasing use of drones and the associated risks they pose.
Inleap Photonics’ innovative technology
Inleap Photonics specializes in developing ultra-fast, precise laser beam steering systems. The company’s technology is designed to neutralize drones by precisely targeting their weak points within seconds. This approach is not only effective but also eye-safe making it suitable for both military and civilian environments.
The company offers two main product lines: INLEAP FASTLIGHT SHIELD and INLEAP FASTLIGHT HELD. The former is designed for controlled and eye-safe drone defense, while the latter extends the range of applications for mobile C-UAS scenarios by combining the laser effector with a compact, all-terrain unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) platform and a C-UAS software platform.
Strategic partnerships and market expansion
Inleap Photonics is already collaborating with key customers and partners, including the German Federal Ministry of Defence and the Bundeswehr Cyber innovation Hub. The company has also entered into a strategic partnership with STARK Defence a German defense technology company. These partnerships underscore the growing demand for sovereign, operationally proven C-UAS developed in Germany.
The recent funding will be used to expand production and testing capacity, further develop the company’s core laser technology, and grow its sales, customer support, and service operations in Germany and other European markets. Inleap Photonics also plans to invest in quality assurance and certification processes to ensure reliable deployment in industrial and security-critical environments.
The urgency of drone defense
The need for effective drone defense solutions has become increasingly urgent, as highlighted by recent incidents such as the drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Such events demonstrate the immediate and real threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles to critical infrastructure. Inleap Photonics aims to address this challenge with its efficient and safe laser-based drone defense solutions.
According to Dr.-Ing. Marius Lammers CEO and founder of Inleap Photonics, the company is seeing increased demand for its technology. The financing will be used to expand manufacturing, quality assurance, sales, and service to meet this demand and deliver systems at a greater scale. Amanda Birkenholz Partner at UVC Partners, emphasizes the dual-use capability of Inleap Photonics’ technology, which is both eye-safe for civilian use and robust enough for deployment in conflict zones.
The new funding will enable Inleap Photonics to further develop and scale both product lines, ensuring that its technology remains at the forefront of drone defense solutions. As the company continues to grow, it is poised to play a significant role in protecting critical infrastructure and defense applications across Europe.
