Key takeaways
- NLEAP Photonics raised €20 million in a seed round led by UVC Partners, alongside four other named investors.
- The funding will scale production of its laser-based counter-drone technology and support expansion across Europe.
- Partnerships include Bundeswehr counter-drone testing and integration work with STARK’s uncrewed systems.
German laser technology company INLEAP Photonics has raised approximately €20 million in a seed funding round led by UVC Partners to scale production of its laser-based counter-drone systems and expand across Europe, the company announced in September.
Other investors include High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTG), Balnord, Sentris and Scale Capital. INLEAP previously raised an undisclosed round led by HTG with participation from Ventis Capital and private investors in February 2026.
Based in Hanover, INLEAP develops laser technology designed to detect and neutralise drones. Laser systems can offer an alternative to ammunition-based interception, although their effectiveness depends on operational conditions including weather, line of sight and power availability. INLEAP said its Laser SHIELD system is “eye-safe” and is intended to enable deployment around civilian populations and critical infrastructure.
The new funding will support manufacturing, testing, certification and expansion of its sales and service teams across Europe.
The company has established links with Germany’s Federal Ministry of Defence and the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub. In May, it launched the Laserdome testing programme with the Cyber Innovation Hub to evaluate its technology against drone swarms. The company is also leading a ministry-commissioned study into the safe deployment of lasers at German military sites.
In April, INLEAP announced a strategic partnership with German defence company STARK to integrate its laser effector into uncrewed systems, including STARK’s Vanta unmanned surface vessel family. The collaboration could broaden deployment options for laser-based counter-drone capabilities across different platforms.
“Our technology has reached the market and we are seeing strong order intake,” said founder and CEO Marius Lammers, adding that the company would invest in manufacturing and quality assurance to meet demand.
UVC Partners partner Amanda Birkenholz said counter-drone protection was increasingly important beyond the military, particularly for airports, energy facilities and data centres. She said INLEAP’s ability to serve both civilian and defence markets was central to its growth potential.
The investment comes as European defence forces and critical infrastructure operators seek cost-effective and scalable ways to counter increasingly widespread, relatively inexpensive drones threats.
