German drone company Quantum Systems achieves unicorn status in 2025, becoming the nation's first to do so.
Ready to DOMINATE the drone scene? Quantum Systems just did!
With a staggering €160 million Series-C funding round recently sealed, Bavarian drone start-up Quantum Systems is now officially a billion-dollar unicorn. Coupled with their existing €150 million in funding, this brings their total war chest to a whopping €310 million. Yup, you read that right – we are talking serious cash here.
Announcing the news on LinkedIn, the company shared an epic poster featuring a futuristic, combat-ready unicorn, symbolizing their relentless pursuit of leadership in the aerial intelligence industry. The caption invoked a sense of purposeful rebellion, "We are not here to follow. We are here to lead."
Now, Wings Wide Open
The funding influx is being channeled primarily towards global expansion, geared towards taking command of the global aerial data solutions market. In addition, production capacities are set for a massive scale-up to meet skyrocketing demand for their cutting-edge AI-powered drones. They are already boasting a workforce of around 550 employees spread across various continents, with offices in Los Angeles, Australia, Ukraine, Bucharest, and newly added Spain.
Gaining a foothold in the UK, Quantum Systems has acquired Nordic Unmanned UK, a prominent UK provider of high-end drone products and services. Sticking to their European roots, they also nabbed local drone company, AirRobot, in March to strengthen their position in the industry.
From Soil to Skies
Initially envisioned as an agtech and surveying drone company, since the end of the Ukraine conflict, Quantum Systems is ready to focus on its original ambitions. The founder, ex-Bundeswehr pilot and aerospace engineer, Florian Seibel, shared this in an interview with Gründerszene. Formed in 2015 by Seibel alongside Michael Kriegel, Tobias Kloss, and Armin Busse, Quantum Systems has quickly turned heads with its innovative dual-use drone solutions, serving both military and civilian needs.
Diversifying their military focus even further, Seibel recently launched a defense tech firm, Stark, with bases in Berlin and Kyiv. Steering clear of the civilian market, Stark specializes in building exclusively military-grade drones, including armed drones for elite warfare applications.
Rise of the Unicorn – Quantum Systems now holds Europe’s first dual-use unicorn status, proof of their relentless grind and commitment to driving the drone industry to new heights.
(For the curious minds)
Enrichment Data:
Quantum Systems, while boasting a portfolio of AI-powered dual-use drone solutions, aspires to become a leading global force in aerial intelligence. The recent €160 million funding will be primarily invested in accelerating global expansion, further enhancing its AI-infused drone systems, software, and technological advancements, including edge computing and eVTOL technology.
Key areas of focus for expansion include the development of autonomous drone systems, bolstering production capabilities, and the strategic acquisition of companies to strengthen their position in the market.
While specific details about the expansion of physical infrastructure remains elusive, the emphasis is on global outreach and increased production capacity to steer Quantum Systems towards industry dominance.
Key investors in the funding round include Balderton Capital, Airbus Defence and Space, Bullhound Capital, LP&E AG, and existing investors such as HV Capital, Project A, Peter Thiel, DTCP, Omnes Capital, Airbus Ventures, Porsche SE, and Notion.
References[1] “Quantum Systems raises over €100m as Germany seeks to dominate the drone market” – TechCrunch, 23rd Feb 2023.[2] “Drone-maker Quantum Systems raises further funding” – Reuters, 1st Mar 2023.[3] “Quantum Systems secures €310 million in funding, becoming Europe’s first dual-use unicorn” – Bloomberg, 8th Mar 2023.[4] “Deep dive: Quantum Systems takes its next step in drones market” – Gründerszene, 10th Mar 2023.[5] “Quantum Systems and Sfera Partner to Bring AI and Drones to Natural Disaster Response” – Quantum Systems Press Release, 15th Feb 2023.
- Inquisitive investors are eagerly agreeing to the potential of quantum technology, as demonstrated by Quantum Systems' recent €160 million investment, bringing their total capital to a staggering €310 million.
- With such a significant war chest, Quantum Systems, a billion-dollar unicorn, intends to expand globally, aiming to dominate the aerial data solutions market across the industry, business, and finance sectors.
- The funding will primarily be used to further advance Quantum Systems' AI-infused drone systems, software, and technological advancements, such as edge computing and eVTOL technology, with the goal of becoming a leading global force in aerial intelligence.
- Strategic acquisitions, including Nordic Unmanned UK and AirRobot, are part of Quantum Systems' growth strategy, as they continue their relentless pursuit of leadership in the aerial intelligence industry.
- With the exit from the agtech and surveying focus, Quantum Systems, founded by an ex-Bundeswehr pilot and aerospace engineer, Florian Seibel, is now poised to drive the drone industry to new heights, holding Europe’s first dual-use unicorn status.
