It’s been a while since we launched Above Trends, Beyond Insights. What started as an experiment in rethinking our editorial voice has now become a steady practice: every issue, we scan the signals that matter and translate them into business insight. Our commitment remains the same (less noise, more signal), with an even stronger focus on what executives need to navigate uncertainty: timely context, curated trends, and practical guidance.

Defense tech investments reshape Europe’s strategic innovation

IIn 2024 venture capital funding for European defense and dual-use technologies surpassed $5.2 billion, a sharp contrast with the overall slowdown in tech financing.

This surge reflects not only geopolitical pressures but also a fundamental shift in how investors perceive security and resilience as drivers of innovation. Behind the numbers lies a broader transformation: defense-related technologies, once considered a marginal and politically sensitive domain, are now treated as strategic assets with spillover potential across industries, from aerospace and logistics to cybersecurity and AI.

For European decision makers, the trend signals an urgent need to rethink public-private partnerships, reallocate resources toward dual-use R&D, and anticipate regulatory frameworks that could either accelerate or restrain growth. Governments are being pushed to act not only as regulators but as active co-investors, setting the conditions for scale while safeguarding ethical boundaries and compliance with international law.

At the same time, enterprises must learn to operate within an ecosystem where innovation is tightly linked to national security objectives and where access to funding is increasingly tied to strategic alignment. The lesson is clear: defense tech is no longer a niche, it is becoming a central pillar of Europe’s industrial competitiveness, and companies that position themselves early in this ecosystem may gain a decisive advantage in access to capital, privileged alliances, and long-term contracts that can secure both growth and resilience.

TREND TRACKER

NIS2: from compliance burden to operational advantage

The NIS2 Directive, which came into force across the EU in October 2024, is often seen as yet another layer of regulatory pressure. Yet, its real potential lies in reframing compliance as a strategic enabler. By mandating stricter cybersecurity measures, supply chain monitoring, and incident reporting, NIS2 pushes organizations to embed resilience into everyday operations.

For companies managing digital infrastructures, such as those running on WordPress, compliance can be turned into a catalyst for better governance, proactive risk management, and long-term trust building with clients and regulators. Those who treat NIS2 merely as a checklist risk higher costs and reputational damage, while those who leverage it as an operational framework can turn regulation into a competitive differentiator.

Want to learn more?

• Enisa - NIS2 Technical Implementation Guidance

• Euopean Commission - NIS2 Directive: securing network and information systems

• Babini Mazzari - NIS2 compliance on WordPress: from regulatory requirement to operational tool

QUICK INSIGHT

Deep Work: protecting focus as a strategic resource

In an era of constant notifications and endless meetings, the ability to create uninterrupted blocks of time for cognitively demanding tasks is becoming a leadership superpower. In his book Deep Work, Cal Newport defines this skill as rare but invaluable in generating high-quality outcomes. To put this into practice in your organization:

• Identify core tasks requiring deep thinking and insulate them from digital noise.

• Block daily or weekly focus sessions in the calendar and protect them as non-negotiable.

• Introduce company-wide “focus time” policies, such as no-meeting days or quiet zones.

• Measure results qualitatively, not by hours spent: track insights, decisions, or innovative outputs.

• Spread the practice among leadership teams and create a culture that values deep cognitive work.

By institutionalizing deep work, leaders transform focus into a shared organizational asset, unlocking productivity and creativity at scale.

WHO IS BABINI MAZZARI

Our Value Proposition

Babini Mazzari is the strategic IT partner for European companies looking to navigate digital transformation in a structured, pragmatic, and sustainable way.
We don’t just deliver technical solutions - we work as an extension of your internal team, helping you integrate systems, optimize processes, and lead change with clarity and competence.

Our approach is built on listening, transparency, and a strong results-driven culture. Whether you're scaling, modernizing, or rethinking your operating model, we support every client with the right tools, clear methodology, and long-term vision.
Above Technology. Beyond Solutions.

📎 [Our services]
📎 [Our Manifesto]