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20VC: The Future of War: Are We Ready & What Needs to Be Done | China, Russia and Trump: What Happens Now | Raising $828M to Build the Defence Champion of Europe | Torsten Reil, Co-Founder @ Helsing

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Episode notes

Torsten Reil is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Helsing, a new type of defence company providing artificial intelligence to protect our democracies. Torsten has raised over $825M from the likes of Prima Materia, Elad Gil, Accel and General Catalyst. Previously Torsten founded NaturalMotion, one of the UK's most successful games and technology start-ups. Torsten was named as one of MIT's Top 100 Innovators and is a member of the Munich Security Conference Innovation Board.

In Today’s Episode with Torsten Reil We Discuss:

1. The World Around Us: China, Russia and Trump:

What will happen between China and Taiwan?
What will happen between Russia and Ukraine?
How will a Trump administration impact the US’ commitment to fund European defence?
What conflict do people not pay enough attention to in the world today?

2. Are We Ready and What Needs to Be Done:

Are the west ready to fight against our adversaries as we stand today?
What do we need to do to equip ourselves?
What needs to change in our defence budgets? Where do they need to go?
How does the procurement process for defence need to change?

3. The Future of War:

Why does Torsten believe the future of war is contactless?
In the next wave of defence, what are the most important elements for allies to own? What elements concern Torsten the most?
What role does AI and autonomous play in the future of war?

4. Is Europe F********:

Why does Torsten believe that Europe’s biggest problem is ambition not capital?
Why does Torsten believ that we put too much weight on the location in which companies are founded? Why does it not matter?
How does Torsten respond to the statement that we do not have the depth of experienced talent in Europe to recruit?