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INLEAP – Fertigung

INLEAP Photonics develops laser-based systems for drone defense and ultrafast laser beam deflection for industry.

INLEAP Logo

INLEAP Photonics GmbH

Hanover · GermanyNew on Amplifa

Lower Saxony Innovation Prize 2024Award
Digital Startup of the Year 2025Award
€20 millionFinancing round 2026
up to 2,500× fasterLaser beam deflection compared to conventional systems

About INLEAP Photonics

INLEAP Photonics, based in Hanover, develops and manufactures highly precise laser system technology. Under the name INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® SHIELD®, the company operates in the field of defense and security: the system intercepts drones using the smallest, precisely controlled high-energy light spot at a previously identified weak point and is eye-safe, making deployment possible even in urban environments. For industry, the company offers INLEAP® FASTLIGHT®, a digital, pixel-based laser beam deflection without moving mirrors, which is up to 2,500 times faster than conventional systems and can be integrated as a retrofit into existing laser systems. Customers include the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub and the defense company STARK. Awarded the Lower Saxony Innovation Prize in 2024, the company positioned itself in 2026 as a defense-tech firm and secured a financing round of €20 million in September 2026 to scale its laser-based drone defense.

Site
Hanover
Processes
Laser-based drone defense (C-UAS), Ultrafast laser beam deflection for laser material processing, Retrofit integration into existing laser systems
Materials
INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® – digital laser beam deflection, INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® SHIELD®
Industries
Defense and Security, Laser Material Processing / Manufacturing Industry, Industry/Manufacturing (Laser Material Processing)
  1. 01

    Research and Development

  2. 02

    System Design and Engineering

  3. 03

    Software Development

  4. 04

    Integration into Platforms and Existing Laser Systems

  5. 05

    Testing and Live Demonstration

Technology and Processes

FASTLIGHT

INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® – digital laser beam deflection

Pixel-based, ultrafast beam deflection without moving mirrors for laser material processing and retrofit integration.

SHIELD

INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® SHIELD®

Laser-based counter-drone system (C-UAS) for safe, eye-safe deployment even in urban environments.

Locations

Standort Hanover

Hanover

DE

Development and company headquarters

Materials
Laser beam deflection, C-UAS systems

Systems and Components

INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® SHIELD® – effector with laser
INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® SHIELD® – effector with laserLaser-based drone defense · Defense
INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® SHIELD® on an unmanned ground platform (UGV)
INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® SHIELD® on an unmanned ground platform (UGV)Mobile C-UAS integration · Defense
INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® SHIELD® – shelter variant
INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® SHIELD® – shelter variantLaser-based drone defense · Critical infrastructure security

Inside the production

Live demonstration of the laser-based C-UAS technology at the ILA
Live demonstration of the laser-based C-UAS technology at the ILA
Drone in urban airspace – threat scenario for the C-UAS system
Drone in urban airspace – threat scenario for the C-UAS system
Leadership team of INLEAP Photonics GmbH
Leadership team of INLEAP Photonics GmbH
INLEAP Photonics at the Lower Saxony Innovation Prize 2024, category
INLEAP Photonics at the Lower Saxony Innovation Prize 2024, category
Presentation of the “Digital Startup of the Year 2025” award
Presentation of the “Digital Startup of the Year 2025” award
INLEAP Photonics with the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub
INLEAP Photonics with the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub

Industries

Defense and SecurityLaser Material Processing / Manufacturing IndustryIndustry/Manufacturing (Laser Material Processing)

Additional services

Laser-based drone defense (C-UAS)Ultrafast laser beam deflection for laser material processingRetrofit integration into existing laser systems

Reference customers

Bundeswehr (BMVg project study)Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation HubSTARK (strategic partnership)

History

  1. 2024

    Award of the Lower Saxony Innovation Prize in the Key Technologies category

  2. 2025

    Named “Digital Startup of the Year 2025”

  3. 2026

    Positioning as a defense-tech company and presentation of the laser-based drone defense system INLEAP® FASTLIGHT® SHIELD®

  4. 2026

    Strategic partnership with STARK for laser-based C-UAS

  5. 2026

    Launch of the “Laserdome” innovation project with the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub

  6. 2026

    First deployment of laser-based drone defense on an unmanned ground platform (UGV)

  7. 2026

    Lead role in a BMVg project study on the safe use of laser technology on Bundeswehr sites

  8. 2026

    Financing round of €20 million to scale the laser-based drone defense

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