TechCrunch Startup News This founder left Silicon Valley to challenge U.S. defense supremacy from Athens, and investors are paying attention
Jul 31, 2025
A former engineering manager has moved from Silicon Valley to Greece to tackle defense challenges, founding a startup focused on innovative solutions like solar-powered surveillance towers and concealed sea drones. The discussion dives into his motivations driven by geopolitical factors, the struggle of breaking into the European defense market, and the importance of technology and personal connections in securing contracts. This insight offers a fascinating look at how startups can influence cross-border defense collaboration.
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Founder Leaves Apple for Defense Startup
- Dimitrios Kotas left a top engineering role at Apple to start a defense company in Athens.
- His startup builds surveillance towers and concealed sea drones for Greece's borders and wildfire detection.
Autonomy Drives Future Weapons
- Autonomous systems require machines to perceive objects' location, activity, and intent.
- This deep perception is central to future weapons systems that will reshape defense technology.
Concealed Suicide Sea Vessel
- Deleon's Interceptagon series includes sea drones that can be deployed secretly underwater.
- These low-cost, patented suicide vessels can activate remotely and surprise enemies in undetectable ways.