Episode 55. In this episode of All Quiet, Tyler is joined by Eric Slesinger, General Partner at 201 Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Madrid, Spain. 201 Ventures focuses on advancing freedom and autonomy in Europe by backing pre-seed and seed-stage companies in the intelligence, defense, and dual-use technology sectors. Eric, originally from Washington D.C., shares his journey from engineering and intelligence to leading 201 Ventures. Throughout the episode, Tyler and Eric delve into the critical role Europe plays in global security and the evolving dynamics of the defense technology landscape. Eric highlights the shifting focus towards economic competition and the need for Europe to bolster its defense tech capabilities internally. They discuss the increased defense budgets across major European countries, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the need for innovative approaches to address the continent's unique security challenges.What’s Happening on the Second Front:The shift in Europe's defense strategyThe impact of economic and geopolitical instability on securityThe role of startups and innovative tech in defense modernizationNavigating the complexities of European defense procurementThe critical need for anticipatory thinking and strategic investment in defense techConnect with Eric:LinkedIn: Eric SlesingerConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler SweattWebsite: Second Front SystemsCatch 2F’s Offset Symposium replay here.