Quantum Systems, a German drone startup with backing from Peter Thiel, is in the final stages of securing a large funding round. Airbus SE and Blackstone Inc. are in discussions to be the primary investors in a roughly €600 million ($703 million) funding round. This financing could see the company's valuation rise to as much as €7 billion, which translates to approximately $8.2 billion USD. Balderton Capital, an existing UK venture capital firm, is also expected to participate in this round.
This potential valuation of €7 billion ($8.2 billion) represents a significant jump for Quantum Systems. In November 2025, the company had tripled its valuation to €3 billion ($3.5 billion) after raising €180 million from investors including Balderton Capital. The latest proposed funding round, attracting an aerospace giant like Airbus and a private equity heavyweight like Blackstone, signals a strategic shift for Quantum Systems from a venture-backed startup to a key defense industry asset.
Quantum Systems specializes in electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones, which can be used for both military and commercial purposes, such as aerial surveying and 3D reconstruction. Airbus's involvement is expected to offer expertise in aerospace and access to defense supply chains, while Blackstone provides substantial capital. This rapid increase in valuation, moving from €3 billion to €7 billion in less than a year, is attributed to strong order books and a prevailing political will to invest in defense technology amidst a surge in European defense spending.
