The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified a mixed reality (MR) headset for civil aviation training for the first time — potentially signalling a shift in how pilots are taught.  Built by Finnish startup Varjo, the headset — called XR-4 — replaces the screens in a flight training cockpit, which are smaller, cheaper versions of the full-flight simulators used in the final phases of pilot training.  The MR tech blends digital environments with the physical cockpit and the pilot’s real hands and body. Using a process known as “masking,” everything outside the cockpit is digitally rendered, while the…

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TNW Backstage this week peeks behind the petals of the flower business — but not as you know it. In the latest episode of our podcast, we dig beyond beautiful bouquets to unearth the digital trends, disruptive models, and market moves reshaping the industry. Guiding us through the changes is Aron Gelbard, co-founder and CEO of Bloom & Wild — the UK’s top-rated online flower delivery company. Founded in 2013, Bloom & Wild transformed the traditional flower industry by moving it online and pioneering its now-famous letterbox delivery model. Aron shared the scaleup’s story, business strategy, and tips for fellow…

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Britain’s new military tech strategy will fail unless startups are given clear pathways to adoption, experts have warned. Their concerns follow the government’s announcement that defence spending will increase to its highest level since the Cold War. Prime Minister Keir Starmer set out the aims in the new Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which includes plans to boost investment in technologies such as AI, drones, robots, laser weapons, and submarines.  The review outlines ambitious goals for military innovation, but defence tech insiders say the real challenge lies in translating funding into front-line deployment.  Tanya Suarez, who leads the dual-use accelerator Janus…

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War is being redefined by technology. Drones now swarm where soldiers once marched, AI can detect threats faster than spies, and cyberattacks are disrupting critical infrastructure without a single shot fired. To prepare for the battles of tomorrow, NATO is turning to startups.  In June 2023, the Alliance launched DIANA, an initiative that funds and facilitates defence innovations. Across a network of over 200 accelerator sites and test centres, DIANA brings together universities, industry, and governments to work with startups on new defence capabilities. At the helm is Jyoti Hirani-Driver. A former counter-terrorism policy advisor for the British government, Hirani-Driver…

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Europe has a unique chance to lead in software — but only if it improves its ability to turn startups into profitable businesses. That’s the conclusion of a new report from McKinsey and Boardwave, which warns that unless the region tackles structural barriers, its startups will continue to lag behind global rivals. The report, Europe’s Moonshot Moment, found that the continent has over 280 software companies generating more than €100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). These scaleups include the likes of Spotify, Revolut, Adyen, and Vinted. However, European software businesses that reach the €100 million ARR threshold take 15…

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