Navigating Dual-Use Technologies: Your Essential Guide for 2025

Ever wondered how companies like Palantir evolved from a data analytics startup into a major player working with defense and intelligence agencies? Or why traditional commercial companies are increasingly exploring dual-use applications for their technologies?

The answer might surprise you - it's about more than just defense contracts or government funding. Today's most ambitious founders recognize that building impactful dual-use companies represents a new frontier in both business opportunity and societal contribution. Europe, in particular, faces a critical question: how do we develop our technological capabilities while our market remains fragmented with different national agendas?

Today, I'm happy to share something that's been in the works for months: "Navigating Dual-Use Technologies: A Founder's Handbook" - the first comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs building technologies that serve both commercial and government markets.

Why should you care about dual-use technologies now?

Here's a stunning fact: While it took 6 years (2016-2022) to reach $5.365 billion in investments for technologies protecting democracies, we've seen an incredible 186% surge in just the last 1000 days, reaching $5.08 billion. This isn't just market momentum - it's a fundamental shift in how Europe approaches technological sovereignty.

As one of our contributors, Colonel Tomasz Zaremba from the Polish Ministry of Defense puts it:

"We've fundamentally changed how we approach innovation. Rather than specifying exact equipment requirements, we now focus on defining problems that our military needs to solve. We take these problems to the civilian market, seeking various solutions and answers."

What's inside the handbook?

Working with 24 industry experts - founders, investors, NATO representatives, and government leaders - we've created a practical guide that answers crucial questions like:

• How do you build a credible dual-use startup from scratch?
• What funding sources are available specifically for dual-use companies?
• How do you navigate defense market requirements while maintaining commercial agility?
• What exit opportunities exist, and how do you prepare for them?

Real Stories, Real Insights

Take Mateusz Rzymowski's story. When his company Revobeam started developing electronically steerable antennas for unmanned vehicles, they didn't set out to create a dual-use company. Everything changed when a defense integrator approached them after testing their technology. Two months later, they returned requesting over 100 units within three months. That moment marked their transition from research to a dual-use startup.

Or consider ICEYE, which started by monitoring Arctic ice developments but evolved into a critical provider of satellite intelligence - demonstrating how civilian technologies can find crucial defense applications.

Why Europe Needs This Now

The quest for European technological sovereignty is no longer optional. Recent events have shown that independent systems for observation, communication, and maintaining civilian services are crucial for regional security and resilience. While the U.S. has shown the way with companies like Anduril and Palantir, Europe must forge its path.

As Eliza Kruczkowska, Innovation Director at the Polish Development Fund, notes in the handbook:

"Investing in dual-use technologies offers not only the opportunity to generate significant financial returns but also the opportunity to contribute to national security and support innovation."

What You'll Learn

• Building successful business models and pricing strategies
• Accessing EU funding and venture capital investment
• Developing effective go-to-market strategies for both commercial and defense markets
• Creating paths to successful exits
• Understanding NATO and EU innovation programs

The handbook includes practical frameworks, detailed case studies, and expert insights from those actively building in this space.

Ready to Shape the Future?

This handbook provides the roadmap you need, whether you're a founder exploring dual-use applications, an investor evaluating opportunities, or an ecosystem partner supporting deep tech companies. The handbook is available now as a free download. You can go ahead and visit?our website to get your copy.

Let's shape Europe's technological sovereignty together. The opportunity is here - it's time to seize it.

P.S. Share this resource with others in your network who might benefit from these insights.