Focused energy, focused growth: how AnGard Microwave is stepping up to protect Europe

A first-of-its-kind spin-off from UT and TNO
AnGard Microwave was founded in 2025 as the first joint spin-off between the University of Twente and TNO. It grew out of PhD research at UT, where the foundations were laid for the High-Power Microwave (HPM) technology that’s now being taken to the next level.

At the helm are co-founders Anton Atanasov and Jasmine Sharifa Szimanneck. During his PhD research at UT – funded by TNO – Anton developed the core technology that underpins AnGard Microwave. His work had applications in telecommunications, radar, electronic warfare and high-power microwave systems. Once the patents were secured and the business set up, he asked Jasmine to join forces to explore how this technology could be turned into real-world solutions with social value.

As they explored, one development stood out: autonomous systems like drones were becoming faster, cheaper and more advanced – and increasingly dangerous when misused. Existing defence tech wasn’t keeping up. So together, Anton and Jasmine came to a key insight: effective protection requires smart, focused energy solutions that can disrupt or disable drones.

That’s where their first designs came from – a new generation of counter-drone solutions powered by high-power microwave pulses. And with that vision, AnGard Microwave officially launched in 2025. Anton brings the deep tech and academic sharpness; Jasmine brings international experience in business, project management and strategic innovation.

The tech: focused energy that takes out electronics
What AnGard is building is a new kind of defence system based on High-Power Microwaves – focused energy that can disrupt, degrade or disable electronic systems. Instead of shooting a drone down, it targets the electronics at the heart of it – the brain of the threat.

That makes the technology highly relevant for defence and security – protecting military assets, critical infrastructure and sensitive areas

Investment fuels next phase of growth
With NUNC Capital investing, AnGard is entering a new growth phase. The founding team still holds the majority stake. Bram Oostvogel, founding partner of NUNC Capital, says:
“High-Power Microwave is a must-have technology in the defence and security space. We’ve worked on it before – back when it was promising, but the market and budgets weren’t quite ready. That experience shaped how we invest today. With AnGard, the timing, the partnerships and the operational momentum are all there.”

Jasmine Sharifa Szimanneck, co-founder and CEO of AnGard Microwave, adds:
“With NUNC Capital, we gain a strong strategic partner with real hands-on experience scaling defence tech, a solid understanding of defence customers, and a strong international network. This partnership is more than just an investment – it shows real belief in our vision and gives us the foundation we need to realise our growth ambitions and accelerate towards implementation.”

Twente-born tech with global impact
AnGard’s growth shows that defence innovation doesn’t just come from traditional defence nations. It can also grow in places where knowledge institutes and high-tech talent are close together.

Thanks to close collaboration with TNO, the University of Twente and Novel-T, AnGard has built strong bridges between research, development and testing. The company is closely connected to the Dutch defence and research ecosystem through its shareholders and partners.

“The powerful microwave tech developed by AnGard meets a real and growing operational need,” says Frank van Vliet, Chief Scientist at TNO. “Continuing to develop these systems is essential for modern defence and security operations. We’re confident that AnGard will play a key role in capability development – and in getting those capabilities into action, fast.”

Looking ahead
Together with AnGard, TNO and the University of Twente, NUNC Capital will support system development, testing and international market launch. The goal: delivering systems that protect military sites, critical infrastructure and operational teams across Europe and allied countries – against the growing threat of weaponised robotic systems.

The success of AnGard isn’t just a local Twente story – it’s a technological and strategic breakthrough with European impact.