Market-Entry Strategy
A competition, procurement and funding map tailored to your technology — so you aim before you fire.
For defense-tech & dual-use startups
Break into defense faster — with a partner invested in your success.
Defense Valley becomes your operational arm — from market-entry strategy to your first signed contracts. And when it fits, we invest ourselves.
Open door, hard entry.
Breaking into defense is complex, opaque and relationship-driven — superior technology alone doesn't win contracts.
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Complex procurement
Layered regulations, classified frameworks and long, politically driven decision cycles that outsiders struggle to navigate.
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Opaque networks
Success depends on trusted relationships with procurement officers, primes and government stakeholders — all hard to access cold.
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High cost of failure
A wrong market-entry strategy wastes years. One misstep can lock a company out of the ecosystem entirely.
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No clear roadmap
Startups have superior technology but lack the operational playbook to turn innovation into contracts and partnerships.
Time-to-first-contract is the metric that decides whether you make it.
One hub, three sides — built to work for you.
Defense Valley works like a multisided marketplace: every side creates value for the others, and the network gets stronger with every vetted participant. But defense doesn't run on open platforms — it runs on trust, compliance and curation. So we orchestrate personally what an algorithm matches elsewhere.
- You get customers and capital in one place — a direct line to primes, procurement and investors.
- Corporates bring real capability demand — buyers actively looking for what you develop.
- Capital brings funding and follow-on rounds — investors who trust our vetting enough to move fast.
The network effect works for you — every side makes the others stronger.
Your operational arm in European defense.
Three services — from strategy to signed contracts.
Business Development & Procurement Access
We get you to the table with primes, integrators and procurement offices across Europe — through established relationships, not cold lists.
Investor Introductions
Access to our Business Angel, VC, PE and Family Office network when your next round is due — investors who already trust our ground truth.
As your retainer or equity partner: hands-on until the result.
Advisor and investor.
Two ways to work with us — both with skin in the game.
Full-service partnership
For funded startups: we work as your embedded BD and market-entry team on a monthly retainer — hands-on until the contracts are signed.
Services for equity
For early-stage teams: we invest our work instead of your cash and take a stake — we only win when you win.
Aligned incentives, from the first call to your exit.
Trusted by global leaders
Founders and investors who work with us
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“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 -
“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 -
“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
For defense-tech & dual-use startups
Where startups break into defense.
The market won't wait. Book your free market-entry assessment.
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