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About Defense Valley

Credibility is the real currency in defense.

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.

Founder

Meet the founder

Lorenz Lehmhaus

Lorenz Lehmhaus

Founder & Managing Partner

Over a decade at the intersection of defense, security and innovation — across the defense industry, the armed forces, an AI scale-up and technology consulting. He knows the market from industry, from procurement and from the startup side — and founded Defense Valley to connect founders, industry and capital where no one else does.

LinkedIn

Trusted by global leaders

Voices from 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
  • Earlybird
    “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, SSE Schönhofer
  • “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.”
    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 AS
  • “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
  • Orca Defense
    “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.”
    Stealth Founder CEO @ Orca Defense

Governance & transparency

The hub position — handled openly

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.
A misty mountain valley with a river winding between snow-capped peaks.

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