HEUKING Becomes Exclusive Legal Partner of the New DefenseTech Incubator.NRW
HEUKING has entered into an exclusive partnership with the newly established DefenseTech Incubator.NRW, becoming its official Legal Partner. Through this cooperation, HEUKING will provide comprehensive legal and strategic support to emerging technology companies and start-ups in the defense and securitysector — guiding them in their development, financing, and market entry.
The DefenseTech Incubator.NRW supports founders whose innovations strengthen national and European security architectures. Its focus ranges from dual-use technologies and AI-based systems to NewSpace, sensor, and communication solutions.
As exclusive Legal Partner, HEUKING advises participating companies on all relevant legal matters — particularly venture capital, public procurement law, export control, IT and data protection law, and regulatory compliance.
“Through this cooperation, we are building a bridge between technological innovation, venture capital, and the complex regulatory reality of the defense sector,” says Dr. Thomas Jansen, Partner at HEUKING in the field Aerospace & Defense. “In the defense and security domain, we are currently seeing the emergence of new markets and partnerships that combine technological progress, economic momentum, and security policy responsibility.”
“The current developments in the aerospace and defense sectors are opening up unprecedented opportunities for start-ups and investors alike – from disruptive technologies to new forms of civil-military collaboration,” adds Dr. Patrick Müller, Partner at HEUKING in the field of Venture Capital. “HEUKING is exceptionally well positioned to provide legal and strategic guidance to founders and investors as they seize these opportunities.”
HEUKING’s Aerospace & Defense practice is among the leading in Germany. The interdisciplinary team advises national and international companies, research institutions, investors, and public sector clients in all phases of complex technology, procurement, and development projects.
The firm’s Venture Capital practice supports founders and investors in financing rounds, investment structures, ESOP/VSOP programs, and transactions in technology-driven sectors. Combined with one of Germany’s top public procurement law practices, HEUKING offers unique legal expertise across the entire innovation and procurement cycle – from seed financing to public contracting.
“With HEUKING, we have a partner who understands the legal, financial, and strategic challenges in the DefenseTech and aerospace sectors, and who supports our founders with foresight,” says Dr. Klemens Gaida, Managing Director of DefenseTech Incubator.NRW. “The combination of venture capital expertise, procurement know-how, and deep industry understanding is a decisive success factor for defense start-ups.”
The partnership between HEUKING and DefenseTech Incubator.NRW underscores their shared goal of strengthening the innovation ecosystem for defense and security technologies in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond. HEUKING advises companies, public institutions such as universities, ministries and research institutions, as well as investors on all matters relating to commercial law.
