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Robot maker · registered

Stark Defence

Defense marketsecurityCurated record
stark-defence.com

Stark Defence builds AI-enabled loitering munition systems, designing and manufacturing its own airframes in Germany and the UK. Its core product, the OWE-V Virtus, is an electrically powered VTOL loitering munition with over 130 km range and up to 90 minutes endurance that navigates and engages under software-defined autonomy, including in GNSS-denied environments. The Bundeswehr signed a framework agreement (approved 25 February 2026) for delivery of several thousand Virtus systems, part of a EUR 540M medium-range loitering-munition package split with Helsing. The company raised a EUR 500M Series C co-led by Sequoia and Founders Fund in June 2026 at a valuation above EUR 3.2B.

HeadquartersBerlin, DE
Founded2024
Defense funding$632M
Team51-200
Deployments3
Open roles142
01

Company overview

Identity and operating footprint

Company typeRobot maker
Market segmentDefense
StageSeries C
FoundersFlorian Seibel (Co-founder), Uwe Horstmann (Co-founder, CEO), Johannes Schaback (Co-founder)
Regions servedEU
Countries deployedNot listed
Service footprintNot listed
Last reviewed2026-07-05
MX

Robot models

Specifications remain vendor-claimed

Machineamr

Cascade

  • No specifications on file.
Machineamr

Gambit

  • No specifications on file.
Machinesecurity

OWE-V Virtus

  • Range of over 130 km with up to 90 minutes endurance

    Maximum operational radius and flight time of the loitering munition

    Claim source
  • Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), reusable for training and exercises

    Launch/recovery method allowing repeated non-kinetic reuse

    Claim source
DP

Deployment log

Announced and cited only

AnnouncedCustomerSiteCountryCountEvidence
2026-02-25German Bundeswehr (OWE-V Virtus loitering munitions, ~EUR 268M initial contract approved by Bundestag budget committee)army strike drone unitsDENot disclosedAnnouncement
2026-02-01NATO Northern Europe country (undisclosed)military / loitering munitionsXXNot disclosedAnnouncement
2025-08-27Armed Forces of Ukrainecombat loitering-munition strike operations (Virtus debut, Zaporizhzhia)UANot disclosedAnnouncement
CA

Funding history

Publicly announced rounds

Investors on recordSequoia CapitalFounders FundNATO Innovation FundProject ADöpfner CapitalPeter Thiel
HR

Hiring signal

Public job board · 2026-07-13

Open roles142

Hiring is an operating signal, not deployment evidence. Roles are refreshed from the company’s public careers system.

Office Manager (all genders)Team unlisted · MunichSpeculative Application - Netherlands (m/f/d)Team unlisted · AmsterdamSpeculative Application - Thessaloniki (m/f/d)Team unlisted · ThessalonikiBerufskraftfahrer / Standortlogistik (m/w/d)Commercial · MunichExecutive Assistant (all genders)Commercial · BerlinFacility Manager (all genders)Commercial · MunichProject Delivery Manager (Ukraine Operations)Commercial · SwindonPublic Affairs Manager (all genders)Commercial · Berlin
TL

Company timeline

Milestones and announcements

2026-06-23Raised EUR 500M Series C co-led by Sequoia and Founders Fund at >EUR 3.2B valuationThe Next Web
2026-02-25Bundeswehr framework agreement for Virtus loitering munition approved by Bundestag Budget Committee (EUR ~269M share of EUR 540M package)Army Recognition
SC

Source ledger

7 unique public sources

01
Stark Defence raises €500M led by Sequoia and Founders FundThe Next Web · retrieved 2026-07-05
02
German startup Stark raises $62M led by Sequoia CapitalVestbee · retrieved 2026-07-05
03
STARK to Deliver Loitering Munition System Virtus to the BundeswehrStark Defence · retrieved 2026-07-05
04
Germany Approves 536 Million Euro Helsing And Stark Drone DealDroneXL · retrieved 2026-07-05
05
German Stark Secures Contract with NATO Country for Virtus Drones Tested in UkraineDefense Express · retrieved 2026-07-05
06
Ukraine Unleashes German Cutting-Edge Virtus Drone, Hitting Russian Target in Debut StrikeUNITED24 Media · retrieved 2026-07-05
07
Germany Approves €540M Medium-Range Loitering Munition Procurement from Helsing and Stark Defence FirmsArmy Recognition · retrieved 2026-07-05