The first is in 5.0 Robotics, an Estonian deep-tech company focused on agile manufacturing. Its compact, industrial-grade CNC platforms are designed for rapid deployment and ease of use, enabling defence actors to manufacture critical components directly at the point of need – whether in forward-deployed locations or remote facilities. Running on standard 220V power, these mobile systems provide energy-efficient, precision machining of aluminum, steel, and Iron, strengthening supply chain autonomy and reducing reliance on vulnerable logistics networks. Beyond defence, these systems are utilized across various industries, including healthcare, motorsports, and custom manufacturing.
The second one is US-based Centinus, a drone operations platform, offers ultra-low-latency remote piloting, AI-powered object detection, and real-time HD livestreaming – all within a secure cloud environment. It allows defence and public safety teams to conduct autonomous or remote missions with precision, integrating facial and gait recognition, GPS-tagged tracking, and thermal imaging. The company is led by Matt Rabinowitz and Jonathan Sheena, co-founders of the ~$20 billion public company Natera.
“At Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital, we have been investing in technology companies within the defence sector for several years. We have now launched a dedicated DefenceTech Fund because we believe that Europe faces an urgent and existential threat. We invest in defence technology companies that are crucial for the security of our civilization, fostering global stability and enabling societies to thrive in an environment of peace and safety” comments Laurent Hengesch, Founding Partner of IVC.
With offices in Luxembourg, Prague, Tallinn, and New York, IVC provides investors access to cutting-edge startups from both Europe and the U.S., developing technologies that enhance our collective security.
Experts joining the international Team
IVC welcomes a new defence-focused advisory board composed of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves who served as President of the Republic of Estonia from 2006 to 2016, leading the country through a decade of digital transformation and international engagement. Educated in the United States, he held various diplomatic and political roles before his presidency, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and a Member of the European Parliament. As president, he championed Estonia’s pioneering digital agenda and held several high-level roles within the European Union.
Lubomír Kovařík is the Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board of COLT CZ Group. He served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Colt CZ Group from 2018 to July 2021. His journey began in the Army Air Force, where he reached the rank of lieutenant before transitioning to management roles in 1995 with Aulis. He later advanced to CEO at Škoda Praha, with further contributions at Eltodo EG and Mavel. His academic background includes graduation from the Military Air Force University and an MBA from the University of Sheffield.
Yves Elsen is a Luxembourgish professional with over 40 years of experience in executive leadership, corporate governance, and entrepreneurship, particularly within the space and metal industries. He has held prominent roles in the space sector, including a position as a member of the management committee at SES S.A. (1986–2001) and as CEO of HITEC Luxembourg S.A. (2004–2023).
Patrick Hennings-Huep is a former Lieutenant in the German Navy trained during the Cold War in the Baltic region. He boasts over 24 years of expertise in investment banking and private equity. He is the founder of Seafort Advisors and Beaufort Capital, Hamburg-based firms specializing in small-cap leveraged buyouts (LBOs) in the DACH region, as well as investments in defence technology. Earlier in his career, Patrick served as an Investment Director at The Carlyle Group, with a focus on the technology and defence sectors.
Fredrik Johnsson is a former Lieutenant Colonel in the Swedish Armed Forces (1997–2021) with over 20 years of experience in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), risk management, and disarmament. He held senior leadership roles at SWEDEC – Sweden’s national EOD and demining centre – including Deputy Commanding Officer and Chief of Staff, overseeing national and international mine-action and counter-IED operations, as well as capacity-building and Sweden’s bilateral humanitarian mine-clearance cooperation with Ukraine. Deployed with NATO in Kosovo and Bosnia, he developed Sweden’s EOD training and risk-management systems across military, civil, and law enforcement agencies. He serves as a technical advisor on UN SaferGuard and the UN’s global Weapons and Ammunition Management rosters.
Etienne Schneider is the former Deputy Prime Minister (from 2013), Minister of Economy (from 2012), Minister of Health (from 2018), Minister of Internal Security, and Minister of Defence (from 2013) of Luxembourg. He held various positions between 2012 and 2020, including membership in the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP). He has previously held several senior positions, including research assistant at the European Parliament in Brussels, economist for the LSAP parliamentary group in the Chamber of Deputies, and project leader with NATO in Brussels.
Furthermore, the military advisor, Col. er. Jean-Louis Nurenberg, born in Luxembourg in 1956, he joined the Luxembourg Army in 1976 and holds a degree in social and military sciences. Throughout his career, he held various key roles, including National Military Representative to SHAPE, Luxembourg Military Representative to the European Union, and Head of Mission for EUSEC RD Congo. He has significant international experience, including involvement in NATO, WEU, and EU military operations.
