In the defense technology, the VC box in Lithuania is one step forward
Europe wakes up to the need to invest in defense, and As well as European Vcs. But with a painful history of the Soviet professions, Lithuania did not wait for the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to reach the third anniversary of the commitment 5 % to 6 % of its gross domestic product For military spending – and financing startups for defense.
VC Fund in Lithuania Coinvest capital He was a pioneer in this regard, and it is still strange not to request issues of civil use. We were the first in the area [to be] “It is fully authorized to make defense investments in March 2023,” said Vikorga Trimble, her administrative partner since February 2023.
Unlike many littwan, Trimbel is not long at all. But what it lacks in basketball capabilities, it compensates for energy and fighting, especially when it comes to calling for innovation in the defense technology to enhance the security of Europe.
Unmanned defense systems (UDS), a company based in Vilnnis that focuses on improving the “killing chain”, has received the largest investment in Coinvest in this field, but it is not the only one. According to Trimbel, the Evergreen Fund has invested about 6.8 million euros (about 7.37 million dollars) in the startups, defense and double use since 2023.
Compared to with One billion dollars tours Flood to American Defense Technology companies, the amount may not seem impressive. This is what you did not consider by the individual, which people often urge you to do in this small Baltic country of 2.89 million people.
Joint creativity is another idea that Lithuania often emphasizes, as Coinvest does. As its name suggests, the early stage fund is invested in startups with commercial angels and other VCS. For early deals, a group adopted Performance sharing structure This Trimbel is particularly excited.
As a member of the board of board of directors, which now has 324 members, is especially keen to see more smart money in the market. While the collective value of the ecosystem to start operating in Lithuania It increased 39 times in 10 yearsThe country still lacks an exit like Skype’s was for Estonia.
Still, liquidity events like Secondary vinted sale It had a drip effect, Trimbeel believed that Coinvest could double this euro quickly. When she got out of the reaction only 18 months after 18 months, her bases reinforced the returns of owners investors from 9x to 34X. “I think this was one of the factors that facilitated the explosive growth of the ecosystem of business owners,” Triple said.
In defense technology, Trebel also exchanges the success of others in securing capital. The only Coinvest partner also presented the National Development Bank in Lithuania, “the main capital of other Local VCS capital such as BSV Ventures or Scalewolf, including [the] Lystonian contribution to the NIF Innovation Fund (NIF), “She Celebrate LinkedIn.
Likewise, Trimbel is pleased To see governments throughout Europe adopts the direction of “investing in deterrence and defense to increase the support of competitiveness and the flexibility of European countries.”
This is a need for Lithuania to realize, and it is often personally. “When I was 18 years old, I saw with my eyes, Russian tanks killing people. So for us, it is not the story of a school book,” Trimble said, referring to 1991. January events Where the Soviet army tried to suppress the Lithuania independence movement.
The shock of the Soviet rule, which is deeply affected by the collective memory in Lithuania, extends until 1991. We do not need to learn why the defense is needed. “
However, since the war in Ukraine, there is a renewed feeling of urgency and solidarity. 2025 edition of RadarA campaign to collect general donations for Ukraine, collected More than 5.6 million euros For drones and anti -baron systems, including from UDS. Triple supported, urging, “Ukraine’s support now … and any day until victory.”
Just like almost all the Lithuanians, Trimble remembers where it was when Russia fired its full invasion of its eastern neighbor on February 24, 2022. a few days before, she was outside with her two daughters, and discussed whether they should return as war signs-until her younger daughter indicated that they had left the cat.
CAT or No Cat, TRIMBEL is likely to return to Lithuania in both cases. She points out that her first name, VikTorija, or Victory, is a good match for her uncompromising personality. “Instead of going to the tape and discussing a new handbag, dress, or lipstick, we go to the scope of shooting,” she said with a smile.
Of course, not everyone interacts in the same way – from humanity only experience a journey or freezing. In the wake of the war directly, it was aimed at getting others out of this paralysis by encouraging them to take practical steps. One of them was to join the volunteer initiatives that acquired Steam across Lithuania.
The most symbolic organization in this field is the Union of Non -profitable businessmen supported by government (Lru). While it is devoted to defense and the strengthening of Lithuania, its activities go beyond military training: along with Coinvest and others, he participated in organizing Hakaton shield fireAnd that will return in 2025 to a third version.
This is the context in which Trebel is filmed above, along with the union commander, Lieutenant Colonel Linas Edzilis (with the Almohad) and Lieutenant Valerigos, the former drifting commander of the Special Operations Forces that Not the random country He sent to support NATO allies in Afghanistan after September 11.
Lru also contributed to the civil response during the Covid-19s, as did Trimbel, which invested in the efforts of A. Helmet ventilation protection project. She said, “Kovid was a good rehearsal to mobilize society during threat times,” she said. For her, this threat has changed now, but it is very real.
But so far, Trimbel is interested in other areas other than the technology of defense, and so is the one that possesses. I talked enthusiastically about the start of the wallet Walk15 And coming “Labrador walking“Outdoor with dogs to encourage people to take more steps to be more active – literally.
However, as I wrote in a hadith LinkedIn post“No other investment returns will be important if Ukraine does not receive sufficient support from the allies and Europe will be invaded.” As her name and personality suggests, she will not retreat in her efforts to prevent this result.
