Paul Heiden

Chief Executive Officer Optics11

Paul Heiden, CEO of Optics11, is a seasoned leader at the intersection of defense, technology, and entrepreneurship. His career spans pivotal roles at Bynder, Ultimaker, and BHOLD as founder and CEO (acquired by Microsoft), alongside distinguished service as a Captain in the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, where he deployed to the Arctic Circle to safeguard northern sea routes. Today, Paul is the CEO of Optics11 driving forward its mission to secure sea-lanes, harbors, and critical offshore infrastructure with breakthrough technologies like OptiBarrier and OptiArray.

As a speaker, Paul brings a rare blend of military discipline, entrepreneurial drive, and technological foresight. He combines operational experience in demanding maritime environments with a proven record of scaling high-tech companies internationally. Under his leadership, Optics11 has partnered with NATO navies and European energy operators, demonstrating real-world impact in protecting both defense and energy lifelines and has become the leading enterprise in underwater monitoring.