In Season 3, Episode 4 of the Social Economist, titled “Defence & the ‘Impact’ Economy”, host Toby Gazeley from Euclid Network is joined by Martin Luxemburg from the Unknown Group to discuss the potential contribution ‘impact’ enterprises can make in the area of defence.
Opportunities for Innovation in the Defence Sector
In this episode, Martin and Toby discuss the wider implications for innovation and areas like ‘peace tech’ stemming from an increased focus on defence investments. They also note the potential knock-on benefits across society and the economy innovations in one particular field can have.
This conversation also highlights and reflects on the recent event on “Securing the Future”, held as a side event to the NATO Summit in The Hague in 2025 at Titaan – a central part of the impact campus that the Unknown Group is building in The Hague. Securing the Future will return in 2026, next time with even more hands-on opportunities for founders to showcase their innovative products in the defence sector.
Europe’s Shifting Focus
The second mini-series of the Social Economist Season 3 tackles one of the most present and challenging topics of the day for the social economy: defence. What does Europe’s new focus and prioritisation of defence spending mean for the social economy? Is it all bad news or could there be some benefits for social enterprises? We’re hearing from organisations across Europe about their views on the social economy’s relationship to defence. Join us as we get this conversation going among social economy stakeholders.
Recommendations and Reflections
Martin’s recommendation: Alle Geschiedenis Ooit – Grote Namen – a Dutch-language history podcast looking at the lives of significant historical figures.
Toby’s recommendation: Empire – another history podcast, this one in English, with a particular recommendation for the episodes on “The Troubles”.
Listeners are invited to share their thoughts, questions, or feedback with Toby at toby@euclidnetwork.eu.
Special thanks to producer Jan Kiszowara and to the European Commission for supporting The Social Economist.
Theme music: “another twelve” by Mikel Patrick Avery, Music for Podcasts.
