Europe faces a crossroads when it comes to defense technology. As someone who has spent years bootstrapping startups and navigating the complexities of innovation, I see this debate differently. Words like "moral panic" or "crisis" cloud the real issues, and for female entrepreneurs, there’s something valuable here to learn. So let’s unpack the situation.
What’s Happening with Europe’s Defense Technology?
Europe has been underinvesting in defense for decades. Did you know that EU countries have collectively fallen short of their own 2% GDP spending targets for defense since 2006? That adds up to around €1.1 trillion missing from the budget, according to estimates from the European Parliament. This lack of funding has led to technology gaps, leaving the region dependent on outside manufacturers for critical tech like semiconductors and even weaponry.
The war in Ukraine has been a wake-up call. While it’s horrifying to see such conflict, it has forced Europe to rethink its approach to both self-sufficiency and innovation in the defense sector. Yet, instead of focusing on creating responsible and forward-thinking solutions, much of the conversation has veered into moral debates about whether private startups should even enter the "defense" space.
As a startup founder, I see parallels between this broader debate and the struggles of founders like us, especially women in Europe. And I believe there are crucial lessons about business, ethics, and growth buried in this ongoing conversation.
Lessons for Female Entrepreneurs from the Defense Tech Debate
1. Don’t Shy Away from Controversial Markets
The defense industry is controversial, no question. But so is blockchain, deeptech, biotech, or even edtech at times. The lesson here is to weigh not just the ethics but also the impact of your work. As long as you operate within strict ethical guardrails , which, by the way, responsible defense startups absolutely do , there’s no reason to dismiss a high-potential field. Being risk-averse as a founder often translates to missed opportunities.
2. Speed and Ethics Can Co-Exist
Speed is often treated as the enemy of responsibility. I disagree. Venture capital in defense tech has accelerated innovation without bypassing the regulations around compliance, export controls, and partnerships. The takeaway? Fast growth doesn’t mean reckless shortcuts. You can be fast and thorough by focusing on sharp execution, something I emphasize heavily in my F/MS Startup Game. Build systems that allow you to adapt without sacrificing integrity.
3. Dual-Use Tech is the Future
Tech developed for military purposes often leads to civilian breakthroughs. Think drones, the internet, or satellite communications. These are now essential parts of our daily lives, but they started as military projects. If you’re creating tech that can serve dual purposes, don’t focus just on its immediate application. Look ahead to how it might evolve. For female founders in STEM, this is where innovation can bloom , by thinking long-term.
4. Collaboration is a Must
The defense gap can’t be solved with public funding alone. Europe must lean on private companies and investors. For entrepreneurs, this highlights the importance of collaborations. Whether you’re solving a big problem in health tech, AI, or defense, private-public partnerships are the future. If governments trust businesses to step in, why shouldn’t you trust a co-founder or a strategic partner?
5. Stop Thinking Too Small
European industries have been stuck in underinvestment for years, echoing the struggles many women entrepreneurs face when trying to raise funds or scale a business. Instead of surviving on small wins, think about how you can secure more substantial resources. Take inspiration from defense startups attracting millions in funding. If they can enter a traditionally male-dominated space and thrive, so can we.
How to Operate Ethically and Responsibly as a Startup Founder
Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate ethical dilemmas in growing industries:
- Understand Compliance: Much like startups in the defense space adhere to export controls, you need to understand the rules in your industry. If you’re in AI, understand data privacy laws. If you’re in blockchain, study intellectual property or financial regulations.
- Set Guardrails Early: Responsible players in defense tech have systems in place to avoid crossing ethical boundaries. You can set similar "guardrails" for your work. For example, define early what kind of clients or partnerships you won’t take.
- Commit to Transparency: Openness builds trust. Share your mission, methods, and growth model with your audience or customers. Transparency can silence critics or prevent negative misunderstandings.
By following these principles, you set the stage for growth that’s sustainable and responsible, regardless of your industry.
Common Mistakes to Avoid as a Female Founder
- Avoiding “Male-Dominated” Industries: Tech spaces like defense or AI might seem intimidating at first. But avoiding them altogether rules out entire growth opportunities.
- Waiting for Perfect Conditions: Both startups and defense tech risk falling behind because of delayed action. Don’t overplan; start, test, and adapt.
- Ignoring Bigger Challenges: The European defense discussion revolves around "autonomy." Similarly, are you solving problems that push industries , or just playing it safe?
Final Thoughts for Female Entrepreneurs
The European conversation about defense technology is about more than just budgets or panic over ethics. At its core, it’s about creativity, responsibility, and staying competitive in a changing world. These are lessons every entrepreneur can apply.
Let’s approach challenges, controversial or otherwise, with context rather than fear. Whether driving innovation in AI or launching a local solopreneur business, the rules are the same: stay responsible, stay ambitious, and don’t let perceptions box you in.
More resources for learning about responsible entrepreneurship:
Learn about European defense spending analysis on McKinsey’s insights into defense innovation in Europe.
For ideas on shaping dual-use startups, check out The Recursive's channel on defense tech insights.
Even if defense isn’t your niche, how you navigate industries with perceived barriers can shape your success. So, keep building, testing, and staying loud. Europe , and the world , needs your leadership.
FAQ
1. Why is Europe facing challenges with defense technology?
Europe has consistently underinvested in defense for over two decades, failing to meet their defense spending target of 2% GDP. This led to reliance on external manufacturers for critical tech like semiconductors. Read more on European defense investment gaps
2. How has the war in Ukraine influenced Europe's defense tech approach?
The war emphasized Europe’s need for self-sufficiency in defense and accelerated discussions on innovation and autonomy in the sector. Discover insights on Europe's defense and the Ukraine war
3. What role do private companies play in European defense?
Private companies and startups are vital in addressing defense gaps through innovation and dual-use technologies, complementing public spending. Explore how private companies contribute to defense tech
4. Why is dual-use tech important for innovation?
Dual-use technologies, developed for military but applicable for civilian use, have historically led to breakthroughs like satellite communications and the internet. Learn more about dual-use technology
5. Is venture capital investment in defense tech ethical?
When operating under strict ethical compliance, venture capital helps accelerate innovation without compromising regulations. Understand VC’s role in defense tech
6. How should startups overcome fear of entering controversial markets?
Startups should focus on the impact of their work and ensure operating under ethical boundaries to succeed in high-potential but controversial fields.
7. What are the biggest lessons for female entrepreneurs from this debate?
Female entrepreneurs can learn to embrace controversial markets, ensure ethical speed in growth, leverage dual-use innovations, prioritize collaboration, and aim big instead of thinking small.
8. What is Europe’s defense spending deficit over recent years?
EU countries have collectively fallen short of their defense budgets since 2006, resulting in an estimated €1.1 trillion investment gap.
9. How can startups balance speed and ethics?
Startups can implement strong compliance systems early, ensuring growth doesn’t compromise on responsibility or regulations. Learn strategies for responsible entrepreneurship
10. What strategy is necessary for solving Europe’s defense tech gap?
Europe needs to foster public-private partnerships and encourage collaborative efforts across countries to reduce dependency on external suppliers. Read about Europe’s strategy recommendations
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
