Start-up Inleap Photonics raises millions for laser drone defense

Berlin. Four weeks after the discovery of a drone allegedly prepared with explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport, the background remains unclear. However, it has been clear since the attempted attack that drone defense in Germany must be expanded. The Hanover start-up Inleap Photonics is also relying on this. “We could have prevented the incident in Leipzig,” said company co-founder Marius Lammers in an interview with Handelsblatt.

Inleap Photonics develops laser beam systems for drone defense, but also for industrial production. Now the Munich investor UVC Partners is leading the next round of financing. “We have collected a total of 20 million euros,” says Lammers, referring to the period since the company was founded a good three years ago. Lammers does not want to reveal exactly how much money flowed in the current round, nor does he want to reveal the sales figures or the company valuation.

However, Amanda Birkenholz from UVC Partners, who was recently appointed partner, is convinced of the potential of lasers: “For me, laser technology is currently the most exciting technology in the field of drone defense, both in the military and in the civilian sector.”