Hypersonica, a British-German defence technology company, has secured €100 million in Series B funding to advance its hypersonic deep-strike weapons systems. The investment round was co-led by Lightspeed and General Catalyst, with additional backing from Plural and 201 Ventures, bringing the Munich-based startup’s total funding to €123.3 million.
Founded in 2023, Hypersonica is developing advanced defence capabilities aimed at strengthening European and allied military capabilities. The company operates at the intersection of deeptech and aerospace, focusing on hypersonic propulsion and weapons systems that move at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound.
Scaling Production and Testing
The newly secured capital will be deployed across several strategic priorities, according to the company. Primary uses include accelerating the development timeline for its deep-strike systems, increasing the cadence of testing programmes, and expanding operational capabilities across Europe. The funding will also support reindustrialisation efforts, with plans to establish manufacturing and engineering operations in both the United Kingdom and Germany.
The investment is expected to generate hundreds of highly skilled engineering and manufacturing positions across both countries, addressing growing demand for advanced defence sector expertise in Europe.
Strategic Backing
Alexander Schmitt, Partner at Lightspeed, commented on the investment decision: “Hypersonica is redefining how advanced defence capability gets built. The team pairs deep technical expertise with exceptional speed of execution, and the strength of our support reflects our confidence in both the technology and their ability to deliver.”
The backing from prominent venture capital firms alongside specialist defence investors signals growing confidence in the startup’s technical approach and execution capabilities. Both Lightspeed and General Catalyst have established track records investing in deeptech companies, while Plural and 201 Ventures bring additional strategic perspectives to the company’s development.
European Defence Investment Landscape
The funding round reflects broader shifts in European defence spending and industrial policy. Following geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and growing concerns about military autonomy, European governments and private investors have increasingly directed capital toward homegrown defence technology companies. The emphasis on sovereign capability development—weapons systems developed and manufactured within Europe—has become a priority for governments seeking to reduce dependence on non-European suppliers.
Hypersonica’s focus on hypersonic technology positions the company within a globally competitive field, where several nations are simultaneously developing similar capabilities. The startup’s dual British-German foundation may also facilitate access to defence procurement processes across multiple European markets while maintaining alignment with NATO standards and allied defence frameworks.
With this Series B round, Hypersonica joins a growing cohort of European deeptech startups attracting substantial venture investment. The company now possesses the financial resources to move from development phases toward scaled production, though regulatory approvals and procurement decisions will ultimately determine the commercial viability of its systems.