Defence Inleap Photonics Positions Itself as a Defence-Tech Company

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Inleap Photonics positions itself as a defence-tech company and presents new laser-based counter-drone solution.

Inleap Photonics is positioning itself as a new German defence-tech company specialising in laser-based counter-drone defence. With Inleap Fastlight Shield, the company is bringing a market-ready, eye-safe and cost-efficient solution to market to reliably protect people, critical infrastructures, urban areas and security-relevant facilities against drones. The technology addresses one of the most pressing physical threats currently facing society, the economy and the state’s ability to act in Germany and Europe.

Inleap Photonics is further developing its industrial high-precision technology for safety-critical deployment scenarios: Inleap Photonics’ Inleap Fastlight technology steers laser beams up to 2,500 times faster than conventional solutions. This makes it possible to significantly accelerate industrial laser-based production processes, such as those used in additive manufacturing and battery cell production. Building on this high-precision technology, the system has been continuously developed into a comprehensive laser-based solution that enables safe, reliable and effective counter-drone defence.

With Inleap Fastlight Shield, the company addresses a growing market and closes a security-critical capability gap: the highly precise and ultra-fast laser neutralises drones within fractions of a second by targeting identified weak points. The system is mobile, requires no ammunition and is capable of protecting people, equipment and critical infrastructures.

A financing round successfully completed last year under the leadership of High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) confirms the solution’s strong market potential and the high level of trust in the company. The financing enables Inleap Photonics to further drive scaling and market entry in the defence and security environment. Ventis Capital as well as several private investors also participated in the round.

Dr.-Ing. Marius Lammers, Chief Executive Officer of Inleap Photonics, states: “The security policy and technical conditions are challenging: drones are comparatively inexpensive, highly capable flying objects that can be used for espionage, as weapons, or to cause damage to infrastructures such as power grids or disruptions to air traffic. Effective counter-drone defence is therefore essential for the protection of people and critical infrastructures. Our technology addresses key operational challenges: operation is eye-safe, the system is mobile thanks to its compact dimensions, and it is also cost-efficient—perfectly suited for use in urban and hard-to-access areas.”

Interview with Dr.-Ing. Marius Lammers

How the Start-up Inleap Photonics is Revolutionising Laser Technology

Counter-drone defence thanks to an ultra-fast laser beam

Inleap Photonics, which was awarded the Lower Saxony Innovation Price in the “Key Technologies” category in 2024 for its industrial innovation, is now applying its laser expertise specifically to safety-critical applications. Inleap Fastlight Shield uses innovative laser beam steering to neutralise drones efficiently, reliably and safely. An extremely small, highly energetic pinpoint of light hits the drone at a weak point that has previously been identified using AI-based analysis.

Dr.-Ing. Felix Wellmann, Chief Technology Officer of Inleap Photonics, adds: “The completed financing round marks an important milestone for us. Our strength lies in extremely fast and precise laser beam guidance, even in demanding and adverse environments. These characteristics are crucial for neutralising drones in a controlled, efficient manner and without risks to the surrounding area. The investments allow us to implement industrial scaling as well as integration into operational deployment scenarios.”

Dr. Koen Geurts, Senior Investment Manager at HTGF, comments: “At High-Tech Gründerfonds, we see Inleap Photonics as a company with clear technological differentiation. Inleap Photonics combines industrial laser expertise with a highly topical field of application. With its solution, the team is addressing a rapidly growing market and pursuing a technologically sound and scalable approach.”

Inleap Photonics is preparing for its next growth phase in order to further accelerate international scaling. In parallel, the company is continuing to expand its team and plans to hire additional specialists in the coming months.