Lakestar warns Europe on US tech dependence, launches $300 million fund

1 min read Updated on 18 Jul 2026, 11:05 AM

Reviewed by

Shraddha JScanX News Team

AI Summary

Lakestar founder Klaus Hommels warned that Europe's reliance on American technology and capital has become a strategic liability following Washington's move to restrict Anthropic from exporting sensitive AI models. Lakestar launched a $300 million resilience fund focused on dual-use and defense startups across NATO-aligned countries, backed by BAE Systems. Hommels urged investors to diversify technology and financing away from U.S. sources to ensure European governance takes priority.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.

Lakestar founder Klaus Hommels warned that Europe's reliance on American technology and capital has become a strategic liability following Washington's move to restrict Anthropic from exporting sensitive AI models. Hommels told the Financial Times in a report published Friday that this restriction underscores Europe's urgent need for tech independence. He urged investors to diversify both technology and financing away from U.S. sources to mitigate risks.

"If you don't get the message now… this is without responsibility," Hommels said, emphasizing the necessity for Europe to secure its own technological and financial pathways.

$300 Million Fund Bets on European Resilience

Lakestar has launched a $300 million "resilience" fund focused on investing in dual-use and defense startups across NATO-aligned countries. The fund has secured backing from UK defense contractor BAE Systems. Its advisory board includes former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Hommels, who advises the NATO Innovation Fund, stated that European governance should take priority in any escalation scenario, even when U.S. capital is involved. He identified this year as pivotal for defense-tech firms to prove their technologies work and secure military contracts.

"You need to be as independent as you can, and that means the technology as well as the financing of the technology," he said.

Sovereignty Warnings Echo Across Europe

The warning from Hommels follows European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's acknowledgment that Anthropic's export curbs exposed Europe's need for AI sovereignty. Von der Leyen pushed for deeper US-EU cooperation despite the concerns.

In May, Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch similarly warned that Europe has roughly two years to build independent AI infrastructure or risk becoming a U.S. "vassal state." Mensch cited chip, energy, and capital constraints as the primary hurdles facing the continent.

How will European startups bridge the significant capital gap if investors successfully shift funding away from US sources?

What specific technological milestones must European defense firms achieve this year to secure the military contracts mentioned by Hommels?

Could the push for European AI sovereignty lead to stricter regulatory divergence from the US, complicating transatlantic trade?

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Market Impact

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