About Defense Valley
We sit at the center of the ecosystem — which only works if every side trusts each other. Here is who we are, who vouches for us, and how we handle the conflicts that come with the hub position.
As featured in Shephard · Behörden Spiegel · Europäische Sicherheit & Technik · Wehrtechnik · Armada International
Founder
Founder & Managing Partner
Over a decade at the intersection of defense, security and innovation — at Rohde & Schwarz, Aleph Alpha, the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub and IBM Consulting. He knows the market from industry, from the armed forces and from the startup side — and founded Defense Valley to connect founders, industry and capital where no one else does.
Defense Valley works with senior advisors from the armed forces and the defense industry, backed by a wider network of former officers, procurement specialists and defense executives.
Advisors
Senior Advisor · Brigadier General (ret.)
Frank Pieper spent four decades in the German Army — from air-defense officer to the General Staff — with senior command and staff roles across operations, strategic communication and Army digitalization. He served as Chief Digital Officer for the Army's land-based operations and, most recently, as Director of Strategy and Faculties at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College in Hamburg, with operational deployments on KFOR, SFOR and ISAF. He advises Defense Valley on operational reality, requirements and how capability actually reaches the force.
Trusted across the ecosystem
“The defense technology landscape is evolving rapidly, and Defense Valley is at the forefront of connecting the innovators shaping this transformation. Their understanding of autonomous systems, AI, and modern warfare technology makes them an ideal partner for companies pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Lorenz Meier CEO, Auterion
“Defense is one of the most attractive — and least understood — sectors for Venture Capital. What makes Defense Valley valuable is its position at the center of the ecosystem: trusted connections and the operational ground truth that turn a hard-to-read market into a genuine source of opportunity.”
Dr. Frédéric du Bois-Reymond Venture Partner, Earlybird
“Defense Valley’s access to information and their network in Berlin were an important foundation for our strategic decisions. A valuable partner in a demanding environment.”
Frank Schrudde Managing Director, Schönhofer Sales and Engineering
“Breaking into the European defense ecosystem requires more than great technology — it requires trusted connections and deep market understanding. Defense Valley provides both. Their network has accelerated our market entry and positioned Traversals with the right partners and potential clients.”
Dr. Dirk Kolb CEO, Traversals
“The challenge for us wasn't understanding the market, but building a company that could effectively operate within it. Defense Valley's practical guidance helped us prioritize the right internal steps and make the right business decisions — crucial for translating our industry knowledge into a functional organization ready for growth.”
Øyvind Andreas Eide Co-Founder, AEDIL
“Working with Lorenz Lehmhaus and Defense Valley has been exceptional. Lorenz combines deep expertise in defense innovation, intelligence, and strategy with a rare ability to connect corporates, startups, and government stakeholders effectively.”
Sebastian Fieber CEO, DEFCOM ONE
“Defense Valley's long-standing market perspective was delivered as practical advice, not consultancy slides. They gave us clear, direct feedback on our go-to-market strategy, which helped us avoid common pitfalls and accelerate our access to the right partners.”
Claudius Meyer Co-Founder & CEO, Orca Defence
In the media
Conversation with Anduril founder Palmer Luckey on future technologies for the Bundeswehr and what it takes for young companies to reach the force.
Why future forces will be defined by the quality of their software and their unmanned systems — and what that means for how Germany plans its defense.
Europe can only keep pace with the US and China in digital defense if its militaries learn to work with startups and small companies.
Software-centric value chains are replacing platform-centric ones — and startups are where that shift is happening first.
Why prime contractors in electronic warfare should do more to harness the innovation of smaller companies.
Governance & transparency
As a hub, Defense Valley holds stakes in some startups while advising industry (potential partners and buyers) and investors (potential funders). This central position is the strength of our model. We manage these interests openly and with clear separation where needed — transparency is part of how we operate.
Where Europe's founders, corporates and capital meet.
Contact
Tell us where you are and what you need. We route it to the right path from the first call.
