What Germany is building in defence tech (2026)
Apr 30
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Hannover, GermanyHannover, Germany
Products & Solutions
INLEAP FASTLIGHT SHIELD
A laser-based counter-drone defence system that steers a high-power laser beam at targets up to three kilometres away with a reaction time under one second. The system uses AI-based analysis to identify drone vulnerabilities and directs targeted laser hits to neutralise them without ammunition. It is eye-safe for nearby personnel, scalable to operate in parallel for swarm defence, and integrates with battle management software. The effector and supply unit fit on an EU pallet, enabling transport by standard vehicles.
INLEAP FASTLIGHT
A compact laser beam steering system for industrial manufacturing that replaces mechanical mirrors with pixel-based digital steering, operating up to 2,500 times faster than conventional alternatives. It integrates into existing laser systems without modification and is compatible with measurement technologies including pyrometers and spectrometers. Applications include laser powder bed fusion for medical implants, battery foil cutting and tab welding, semiconductor annealing and sheet metal cutting.
Videos
INLEAP Photonics — Digital Startup of the Year 2025 Award
Boosting Additive Manufacturing: INLEAP FASTLIGHT accelerates laser-based production by up to 8x
2500x Beam Steering Speed Increase from INLEAP Photonics
About
INLEAP Photonics is a Hannover-based deep-tech company founded in 2023 as a spin-off from Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH). The company develops digital, pixel-based laser beam steering technology that eliminates mechanical mirrors, enabling beam redirection up to 2,500 times faster than conventional systems.
Offices
Hannover, GermanyBacked by
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF)Ventis Capital
Customers & Partners
STARK (Berlin) — strategic counter-UAS partnership integrating FASTLIGHT SHIELD into the Vanta USV family, announced April 2026Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH) — institutional origin and ongoing research connectionnLight — listed technology partner
Timeline
2026-04
Announced strategic partnership with STARK at Hannover Messe 2026 to integrate FASTLIGHT SHIELD into STARK's Vanta unmanned surface vessel family for counter-UAS operations.
2025-09
Named Digital Startup of the Year 2025 (2nd prize) at Bits & Pretzels in Munich.
2025
Pre-seed funding round closed, led by High-Tech Gründerfonds and Ventis Capital, to develop FASTLIGHT SHIELD for counter-drone defence.
2024-04
Received the Gründungspreis+ from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) in the Gründungswettbewerb Digitale Innovationen competition.
2024
Won the Lower Saxony Innovation Award 2024 in the Key Technologies category.
2023
Founded in Hannover as a spin-off from Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH), developing digital laser beam steering technology within an EXIST project framework.
Open Positions (3)
2 Business Development1 Product & Project
Products & Solutions
INLEAP FASTLIGHT SHIELD
A laser-based counter-drone defence system that steers a high-power laser beam at targets up to three kilometres away with a reaction time under one second. The system uses AI-based analysis to identify drone vulnerabilities and directs targeted laser hits to neutralise them without ammunition. It is eye-safe for nearby personnel, scalable to operate in parallel for swarm defence, and integrates with battle management software. The effector and supply unit fit on an EU pallet, enabling transport by standard vehicles.
INLEAP FASTLIGHT
A compact laser beam steering system for industrial manufacturing that replaces mechanical mirrors with pixel-based digital steering, operating up to 2,500 times faster than conventional alternatives. It integrates into existing laser systems without modification and is compatible with measurement technologies including pyrometers and spectrometers. Applications include laser powder bed fusion for medical implants, battery foil cutting and tab welding, semiconductor annealing and sheet metal cutting.
Videos
INLEAP Photonics — Digital Startup of the Year 2025 Award
Boosting Additive Manufacturing: INLEAP FASTLIGHT accelerates laser-based production by up to 8x
2500x Beam Steering Speed Increase from INLEAP Photonics
Open Positions (3)
2 Business Development1 Product & Project
About
INLEAP Photonics is a Hannover-based deep-tech company founded in 2023 as a spin-off from Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH). The company develops digital, pixel-based laser beam steering technology that eliminates mechanical mirrors, enabling beam redirection up to 2,500 times faster than conventional systems.
Offices
Hannover, GermanyBacked by
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF)Ventis Capital
Customers & Partners
STARK (Berlin) — strategic counter-UAS partnership integrating FASTLIGHT SHIELD into the Vanta USV family, announced April 2026Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH) — institutional origin and ongoing research connectionnLight — listed technology partner
Timeline
2026-04
Announced strategic partnership with STARK at Hannover Messe 2026 to integrate FASTLIGHT SHIELD into STARK's Vanta unmanned surface vessel family for counter-UAS operations.
2025-09
Named Digital Startup of the Year 2025 (2nd prize) at Bits & Pretzels in Munich.
2025
Pre-seed funding round closed, led by High-Tech Gründerfonds and Ventis Capital, to develop FASTLIGHT SHIELD for counter-drone defence.
2024-04
Received the Gründungspreis+ from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) in the Gründungswettbewerb Digitale Innovationen competition.
2024
Won the Lower Saxony Innovation Award 2024 in the Key Technologies category.
2023
Founded in Hannover as a spin-off from Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH), developing digital laser beam steering technology within an EXIST project framework.
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INLEAP Photonics owns its name, logo and all referenced trademarks — used here for identification only. Claim, update or remove this profile.