Torsten Reil, Helsing Founder: Raising $828M to Build the Defence Champion of Europe | E1237

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. ---------------------------------------------- Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (00:53) How NaturalMotion Influenced Helsing (04:38) Hiring The Exceptional People (07:35) Structuring & Managing Small Teams Effectively (12:19) What is Helsing Speed? (17:44) On the Annexation of Crimea by Russia (21:03) How Trump’s Stances Impact European Funding Needs? (23:49) How Helsing Chooses Who to Sell To (28:30) Navigating the Transience of Right and Wrong (30:54) Why Was Now the Right Time to Shift Focus to Drones? (35:15) Does Compliance Hinder Government Drone Procurement? (38:43) What Happens If Defense Faces a 'Tesla Moment'? (39:46) Are Russia and Iran’s Capabilities Underestimated? (41:20) How Will AI & Autonomy Shape the Future of Warfare (46:40) Is Public Perception of Defense Spending Changing? (49:05) Is Defense a Standalone Category or a Broader Strategy? (51:31) Program of Record (57:24) Why Is Ambition a Bigger Problem Than Capital in Europe? (01:00:45) What Role Does US Capital Play for European Companies? (01:02:35) Is Europe Becoming Increasingly Uncompetitive? (01:05:39) What Will Happen To Russia-Ukraine & China-Taiwan (01:07:47) Relationship to Money (01:08:37) Quick-Fire Round ----------------------------------------------- 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? ----------------------------------------------- Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3j2KMcZTtgTNBKwtZBMHvl?si=85bc9196860e4466 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-twenty-minute-vc-20vc-venture-capital-startup/id958230465 Follow Harry Stebbings on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarryStebbings Follow Torsten Reil on Twitter: https://twitter.com/torstenreil Follow 20VC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/20vchq Follow 20VC on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@20vc_tok Visit our Website: https://www.20vc.com Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.thetwentyminutevc.com/contact ----------------------------------------------- #20vc #harrystebbings #torstenreil #helsing #ceo #venturecapital #founder #ai #drones #defense #russianukraineconflict #chinataiwan #trump