Munich-based drone tech company Quantum Systems has just locked in €160 million in fresh capital, setting the stage for its rise as a global leader in AI-powered aerial intelligence systems. This new funding, led by Balderton Capital with support from aerospace giants like Airbus Defence and Space and Hensoldt, brings the company’s total capital raised to €310 million.
Quantum’s next-generation drones are already proving essential in environments where traditional tools fall short—especially in areas without GPS or with limited communication. Built for autonomy and accuracy, their platforms are redefining how intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions are carried out—both on the battlefield and in the commercial world.
Co-founder Florian Seibel, a military aviator turned aerospace engineer, shared that this funding will help scale manufacturing, accelerate R&D in AI, and push Quantum’s international footprint deeper into Europe and the Asia-Pacific. With NATO forces already using Quantum’s ISR drones in Ukraine, the company is becoming a vital player in modern defense tech.
Seibel explained that the demand for sovereign aerial intelligence is more urgent than ever. Quantum’s drones—modular, AI-powered, and fully autonomous—deliver high-precision data in real time. Their latest model, Vector AI, launched earlier this year, is already in action across Ukraine, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Spain.
Founded in 2015 by Seibel, Sven Kruck, and a tight-knit team of drone, AI, and robotics experts, Quantum Systems has been mission-focused from the start. The team set out to bridge a critical gap in aerial intelligence by developing dual-use drones that excel in both civilian and military domains. Their roots in military engineering and deep tech give them a distinct edge as they blend edge computing, eVTOL flight, and AI autonomy into one powerful system.
Now, the company is ramping up fast. With acquisitions like AirRobot in Germany and Nordic Unmanned UK, Quantum has beefed up its defense offerings and is now recognized as a tier-1 supplier to the UK Ministry of Defence. According to Kruck, their recent Series C raise marks a pivotal moment for the company, enabling it to boost global production and enter new markets.
Investors are betting on Quantum’s ability to lead not just in tech, but in geopolitical relevance. Balderton Capital’s General Partner Rana Yared called the startup a “category-defining” player with the right mix of technical strength, strategic vision, and maturity. Meanwhile, Hensoldt’s CEO Oliver Dörre emphasized the importance of startups like Quantum in enhancing Europe’s technological sovereignty, calling the partnership a leap forward for modular, software-defined defense.
That sentiment was echoed by Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schöllhorn, who noted that Europe’s future security lies in rapidly deployable, interoperable systems. Collaborations with nimble startups like Quantum, he said, are essential to reshaping defense as we know it—especially in autonomous operations and unmanned teaming.
But it’s not all about the battlefield. Quantum’s drones are also gaining traction in industries like mining, agriculture, and infrastructure inspection, offering real-time data insights in environments that traditional tools can’t access. The company is already working with partners like RocketDNA and India’s Department for Science and Technology to deliver actionable intelligence for commercial applications.
With a team of over 550 employees across Germany, Ukraine, Australia, and Romania, Quantum Systems is scaling rapidly. The roadmap ahead includes expanded hiring, deeper AI research, and the launch of next-gen platforms designed to meet rising global demand.
From a hobby project to a global force in drone intelligence, Quantum Systems is proving that the future of aerial intelligence will be autonomous, AI-driven, and built in Europe.
