Former Marine Leads U.S. Venture Capital Firm Investing in European Defense Tech

Sean Bielat's OMVP fund backs early-stage startups boosting Europe's security capabilities

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:03am

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Sean Bielat, a former U.S. Marine officer, is now the managing partner of OMVP, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on investing in European defense technology companies. Bielat previously founded and led Endeavor Robotics, a military robotics firm that was acquired by FLIR Systems for $385 million. OMVP aims to leverage American venture capital to support the development of innovative defense capabilities across Europe as the continent grapples with security challenges posed by Russia's hybrid warfare tactics.

Why it matters

Bielat's work at OMVP reflects the growing importance of transatlantic cooperation on defense technology innovation. As Europe seeks to bolster its security and defense capabilities, American venture capital and expertise can play a key role in supporting European startups working on cutting-edge solutions. This partnership helps strengthen the overall security architecture binding Europe and the United States.

The details

After a career in the U.S. Marine Corps and stints at McKinsey and iRobot, Bielat founded Endeavor Robotics in 2016, which became a leading provider of ground robots to the U.S. military. Endeavor was later acquired by FLIR Systems for $385 million. Bielat now leads OMVP, an early-stage venture fund focused on investing in European defense technology startups. Based between Madrid and New Hampshire, OMVP aims to leverage American capital and expertise to support the development of innovative security capabilities across Europe as the continent grapples with evolving threats.

  • Bielat founded Endeavor Robotics in 2016.
  • Endeavor Robotics was acquired by FLIR Systems in 2019.
  • Bielat launched OMVP, his European defense-focused venture fund, in the early 2020s.

The players

Sean Bielat

A former U.S. Marine officer who is now the managing partner of OMVP, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on investing in European defense technology companies.

Endeavor Robotics

A military robotics firm founded by Bielat in 2016 that became a leading provider of ground robots to the U.S. military before being acquired by FLIR Systems for $385 million in 2019.

OMVP

An early-stage venture capital fund led by Bielat that invests in European defense technology startups, aiming to leverage American capital and expertise to support the development of innovative security capabilities across Europe.

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What they’re saying

“I focus on building strong teams and 90-95% of the time, I trust my team's decisions and recommendations. The other 5-10% is what I get paid for. It's the times I have to say, 'No, that's not what we're doing.' If it fails, it's on me. If it succeeds, it's their success.”

— Sean Bielat, Managing Partner, OMVP

What’s next

OMVP plans to continue expanding its portfolio of European defense technology startups, leveraging Bielat's military and business experience to identify promising companies and support their growth.

The takeaway

Bielat's work at OMVP highlights the growing importance of transatlantic cooperation on defense innovation, as European nations seek to bolster their security capabilities in the face of evolving threats. By channeling American venture capital and expertise into European startups, OMVP aims to strengthen the overall security architecture binding Europe and the United States.