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.
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:53) How NaturalMotion Influenced Helsing
(04:38) Hiring The Exceptional People
(07:35) Structuring & Managing Small Teams Effectively
(12:19) What is Helsing Speed?
(17:44) On the Annexation of Crimea by Russia
(21:03) How Trump’s Stances Impact European Funding Needs?
(23:49) How Helsing Chooses Who to Sell To
(28:30) Navigating the Transience of Right and Wrong
(30:54) Why Was Now the Right Time to Shift Focus to Drones?
(35:15) Does Compliance Hinder Government Drone Procurement?
(38:43) What Happens If Defense Faces a ‘Tesla Moment’?
(39:46) Are Russia and Iran’s Capabilities Underestimated?
(41:20) How Will AI & Autonomy Shape the Future of Warfare
(46:40) Is Public Perception of Defense Spending Changing?
(49:05) Is Defense a Standalone Category or a Broader Strategy?
(51:31) Program of Record
(57:24) Why Is Ambition a Bigger Problem Than Capital in Europe?
(01:00:45) What Role Does US Capital Play for European Companies?
(01:02:35) Is Europe Becoming Increasingly Uncompetitive?
(01:05:39) What Will Happen To Russia-Ukraine & China-Taiwan
(01:07:47) Relationship to Money
(01:08:37) Quick-Fire Round
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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?
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