The Drop 2025 - Ripple summaries

Guns or Climate: Where is the red line in European VC?


This Ripple discussed the tricky world of dual use tech and how investors and founders handle the blurry lines between defense and civil technologies.

The group shared real stories about investing in climate and space tech, touching on tough questions about ethics, government deals, and what counts as responsible innovation.

Main conclusions stood out:

• Every fund and company needs super clear rules on what they will and won’t support.

• Ethical concerns pop up everywhere, so open talks matter.

• Being strict about not crossing ethical lines sometimes means giving up money or market chances.

• European funds feel more pressure to tackle impact and ethics than in the US.

• Aligning everyone: funds, investors, and customers, takes early, honest conversation.

Ripple folks agreed: saying no, even when opportunity knocks, is part of building something that lasts. They all saw the need for regular check-ins, so their values and business stay on track together.

HOSTS

Alex Bakir
Norrsken

Chris O’Connor
Former Nato Innovation Fund

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