European defense startups are drawing increasing numbers of AI professionals who are motivated by a mix of personal values, geopolitical developments, and the rapid growth of the sector. Many tech workers are choosing roles in European defense firms over opportunities in the U.S., citing the war in Ukraine, shifting security dynamics, and a desire to contribute to regional stability. Companies like Comand AI and Alpine Eagle have successfully recruited engineers from major U.S. tech firms such as OpenAI and Palantir. These startups, alongside others like Helsing, are actively hiring both experienced professionals and recent graduates as demand grows for AI solutions in battlefield applications, including autonomous systems and surveillance technologies.
Venture capital investment in European defense tech rose sharply to $626 million in 2024, up from $62 million in 2022. The number of top AI researchers in the European defense space has also grown significantly over the past decade. Stelios Koroneos, Founder of variene.ai, a Greek defence tech, said, “Young people started realizing freedom does not come for free. You need to be able to defend yourselves. Some do it with guns and others do it with the knowledge they have and the things they build." Initiatives like the European Defense Tech Hub are further helping connect startups, investors, and talent.
