Double Triumph for PLENO: From the Podium in Düsseldorf to Victory in Houston

At XPONENTIAL 2025 in Houston, Berlin-based startup PLENO took first place in the XPO+ Launcher Award, impressing a jury focused on cutting-edge autonomous and uncrewed systems. This win followed their third-place finish at XPONENTIAL Europe in Düsseldorf, marking a rapid rise in visibility across both sides of the Atlantic.

We caught up with Nino Lindenberg, CEO and CTO of PLENO, to talk about their technology, their dual-use approach, and what’s behind their momentum. With a background in the German Armed Forces and a focus on AI and computer vision, Nino brings a unique perspective to the drone industry. 

Can you briefly explain what PLENO does and what sets your technology apart?
PLENO is a Berlin-based dual-use startup developing an AI pilot — an intelligent autonomy stack that allows drones to operate fully autonomously, even in environments where GPS or external signals are unavailable. Our core focus is on defense applications, but many of the challenges we solve — such as those observed in Ukraine — are equally relevant for civilian use. These include infrastructure surveillance, pipeline inspections and time-sensitive logistics in sectors like healthcare or food delivery.

You started with a focus on defense. How did the transition into commercial markets come about?
That’s right. We initially built out our core autonomy technology and spent much of 2024 consulting with over 15 drone manufacturers to deeply understand their technical pain points. Based on those insights, we tailored our solution to real operational needs. Today, we serve five customers and recently signed three additional Letters of Intent with companies based in Estonia, Germany and Finland.

Congratulations on winning the XPO+ Launcher Award. What does this recognition mean for your team?
It’s a strong validation of our technology and vision. This wasn’t just another pitch — it was judged by an audience deeply embedded in the uncrewed and autonomous systems space. Winning first place confirms that what we’re building resonates with the industry. It also helps tremendously when talking to investors, as it proves we’re gaining traction and visibility in the right circles.

Why did you decide to participate in XPONENTIAL and join the XPO+ Lounger Award in Houston?
Entering the U.S. market is a key strategic goal for us. After our strong showing at XPONENTIAL Europe in Düsseldorf — where we secured our first German customer — we saw firsthand the value of in-person events for meeting potential clients and partners. Knowing the organizers and having an existing network made it an easy decision to explore opportunities in the U.S. through XPONENTIAL Houston.

How has the event in Houston compared to your experience in Europe?
It's been extremely productive. We've generated around 40 new leads — predominantly from the commercial sector. That’s a big contrast to Düsseldorf, where most leads were defense-focused. In the U.S., we’re seeing more balanced interest across both commercial and military drone applications, which is encouraging.

Would you say the event would have been worthwhile even without the award?
Absolutely. Events like XPONENTIAL are essential for benchmarking against others in the field and breaking out of your own bubble. Strong competition is a good sign — it shows the market is alive and growing. For us, the main objective was to generate qualified leads and expand our network. The award was the icing on the cake. 

What advice would you give to fellow startups working in robotics or autonomous systems?
Robotics is hard — technically, logistically and commercially. But that shouldn’t discourage founders. The key is to focus on solving real-world problems for customers, not just building exciting tech for its own sake. For startups, especially in Germany, one of the biggest challenges is talent. Robotics expertise is rare and highly specialized in Europe. That’s why it’s critical to engage with your local communities early and build strong relationships with promising talent. It's an investment that pays off in the long run.

Let’s take a moment to talk about a big milestone: PLENO was recently acquired by STARK. How do you view this next chapter for the company?
It’s a major milestone for us — and one that opens up entirely new horizons. STARK is one of the leading defense-tech companies in Europe and the acquisition gives us the opportunity to integrate our core technologies — such as GNSS-independent autonomy, swarm intelligence and precision navigation — into large-scale operational systems. With tools like Pleno Sim and Pleno Lab, we’re now contributing directly to STARK’s development efforts, including advanced loitering munitions and the Virtus (OWE-V) platform.

Beyond the tech, it’s also a strong cultural fit. Both teams share the same mindset when it comes to building effective, scalable and resilient autonomy in defense. Joining STARK allows us to move faster, go deeper and focus where it matters most.