AI drones: Taylor Wessing advises lead investor Balderton Capital on €160 million funding for Quantum Systems

Quantum Systems, the leading provider of AI-powered aerial surveillance systems for defence, emergency services and industry, has raised €160 million in new funding, led by Balderton Capital, with participation from Hensoldt, Airbus Defence and Space, Bullhound Capital, LP&E AG and existing investors such as HV Capital, Project A, Peter Thiel, DTCP, Omnes Capital, Airbus Ventures, Porsche SE and Notion. Taylor Wessing advised Balderton Capital on all legal aspects of the transaction with an interdisciplinary team led by Berlin-based corporate technology partner and VC growth expert Dr Norman Röchert.

The funding, which brings the total capital raised by the company to €310 million, will be used to accelerate global expansion, scale production and advance the development of the company's autonomous drone systems, software and AI.

Quantum Systems founded in 2015 by a world-class team with experience in drones, robotics, and imagery collection sets standards in real-time aerial reconnaissance for government and commercial applications. The company currently employs 550 people at locations in Germany, Australia, Ukraine and Romania.

Its modular product family of dual-use unmanned aerial systems (UAS) combines the latest advances in eVTOL technology, artificial intelligence, edge computing and autonomy.

Quantum Systems' drones and information systems are currently deployed by NATO-allied armed forces, including in Germany, Ukraine, Australia, New Zealand and Spain. The company recently expanded into the UK market. Commercial applications for Quantum Systems' solutions include mapping drones for mining, agriculture and infrastructure.

Balderton Capital, a London-based venture capital fund, focuses on supporting Europe’s most ambitious founders from seed to IPO and is considered one of Europe’s leading venture funds. Since its founding in 2000, it has raised twelve funds totalling more than $5.7 billion and invested in more than 275 companies.

Legal advisors Balderton Capital
Taylor Wessing Germany: Lead by Dr Norman Röchert (Partner), Dr Armin Bartsch (Salary Partner,) Dr Anna Hankings-Evans (Senior Associate), Fritz Krings (Senior Associate), Felix Paul (Professional Support Lawyer), all Corporate/Growth VC, Berlin;  Dr Michael Brüggemann (Partner), Tim Hendricks (Associate), both Competition, EU & Trade, Dusseldorf; Dr Gregor Schmid (Partner, Berlin), Caroline Bunz (Associate, Berlin), Dr Carl Jacob (Associate, Munich), all TMT; Timo Stellpflug (Partner, Commercial and Contract Law, Hamburg); Arno Gotting (Salary Partner, Frankfurt), Katrin Isabelle Schultz (Associate, Berlin), both Commercial Agreements & Distribution, Frankfurt); Nico Jänicke (Partner), Lea Krebs (Associate), both Employment, pensions & mobility, Berlin