Europe’s defence landscape is witnessing a notable shift as a Munich based drone maker steps out of stealth mode with strong claims of rapid innovation and sovereign production. Twentyfour Industries, founded in late 2024, has drawn significant attention with its promise to strengthen Europe’s autonomous defence capabilities at a critical moment for the continent.
Backed by Leading Investors
The company has secured eleven point eight million dollars in funding from Lakestar, OTB Ventures and 468 Capital, giving the startup a strong financial foundation as it ramps up production. Backers see growing demand for homegrown defence technology and a strategic need for Europe to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers.
Emerging from stealth with a fully developed product rather than a prototype, Twentyfour Industries positions itself as a company focused on execution rather than concept building.
From Design to Deployment in Under a Year
According to the company, Twentyfour Industries has moved from product design to production and active field deployment in less than twelve months. Its debut drone is a ten inch quadcopter positioned as a cost efficient system designed for mass manufacturing and fast integration into military operations.
The startup reports that it has already manufactured and deployed hundreds of units which are now being used daily by European soldiers. While details on specific countries remain undisclosed, the company confirms that the drones are in active use across multiple regions.
A Push for European Sovereignty in Defence Tech
A central part of the startup’s message is its emphasis on European sovereignty. Twentyfour Industries argues that Europe currently lacks the production capacity and operator training needed to meet modern defence demands.
In its announcement, the company stresses that modern warfare relies heavily on large scale unmanned systems to deter threats and protect democratic societies. It warns that Europe’s dependence on external supply chains and foreign components leaves it increasingly vulnerable.
The founders established the company to address what they view as a critical capability gap. By manufacturing drones within Europe and building a support ecosystem around them, they aim to reduce reliance on outside powers.
A Strategic Munich Base
When asked about its choice of location, the company highlights Munich’s importance as a European centre for technology and defence innovation. The city provides access to engineering talent, industrial expertise and a network of partners that support high technology manufacturing.
The core team operates from Munich where engineering, development and day to day operations are conducted. The startup describes the city as an ideal base for a defence organisation with ambitions across the continent.
Growing Demand but Limited Disclosure
Despite confirming contracts across multiple European countries, Twentyfour Industries remains tight lipped about the specifics. The company says it will not provide further detail on contract values, deployment sites or military partners.
However, it confirms that revenue is already being generated and that demand for its technology is increasing. This commercial momentum plays a key role in establishing credibility for a young defence startup entering a traditionally cautious industry.
Leadership Vision and Mission
Co founder and chief executive Clemens Kürten says the company’s mission is to provide European and allied partners with a complete solution encompassing product development, operator training and long term life cycle support. He emphasises the importance of building industrial capacity that can deliver high quality unmanned systems rapidly and reliably.
Chief commercial officer Erik Linden adds that the company focuses on delivery and real world testing rather than adding unnecessary complexity. By working directly with operators in the field, he says, the company ensures that every iteration responds to practical military needs.
A New Competitor in Europe’s Defence Ecosystem
As geopolitical pressures heighten and Europe grapples with the need for stronger defensive autonomy, Twentyfour Industries is positioning itself as a rising competitor in the continent’s drone manufacturing space. With fresh funding, early deployments and an ambitious vision, the company aims to accelerate European capability at a moment when demand for sovereign defence solutions is more urgent than ever.