Defence Builder

??????Hello, you're on the Defence Builder page. We are a Ukrainian acceleration program for defence early-stage startups. How can Defence Builder be specifically useful for you? ? For startups — it's a support on the path from idea to implementation: grants, mentorship from leading experts, assistance with verification of development needs from the Ministry of Defense, access to testing developments on the battlefield, and help with attracting investments. ? For investors — an opportunity to invest in defence projects that have already been verified and have real potential. ? For manufacturers — an opportunity to access breakthrough innovations to improve their own developments. ? For mentors — a platform where your experience transforms into the growth of an entire industry. ?? Want to become a partner of Defence Builder? Fill out the short form via the link: https://lnkd.in/dgB2Wbui #DefenceBuilder #DefenceTech

A specialized media about Ukrainian defence tech has appeared in Ukraine — Defender Media ?? Meet the founders: Den Smyrnov, Roman Sudolsky, and Nik Zharov, who started working on the project last fall. This is a significant contribution to the industry, as the media combines business and defence expertise. The main goal of Defender Media is to be the primary informational resource about Ukrainian defence tech and to help startups attract investments and international partners. The content of Defender Media is divided into 7 categories: innovations, startups, events, investments, ecosystem, government, and research. For convenience, it is available in both English and Ukrainian. We recommend subscribing to the Defender Media page and staying updated on breakthrough developments in the field of defence technologies. Our team has already subscribed ? #DefenderMedia #DefenceTech #InvestInUkraine

???? ???? Sweden plans to support Ukrainian defenсe tech startups. Recently, a Swedish delegation arrived in Kyiv, including representatives from SOFF: Swedish Security and Defence Industry Association, the Swedish Ministry of Defence, and Swedish defenсe manufacturers. One of the key topics of the visit was deepening cooperation between private defenсe companies. The team at Defence Builder invited the SOFF delegation to a meeting-presentation of the Ukrainian defenсe ecosystem together with BRAVE1. And, of course, they shared how to collaborate with breakthrough defenсe startups. The presentation was concluded with a pitch session featuring defenсe startups: Frontline, Moodro, Ratel-S, Technohawk, Falcons, LLC, ARMOR and Farsight Vision — many thanks to the teams for their amazing pitches in English! Special thanks to Hanna Olofsson and the SOFF (Swedish Security and Defence Industry Association) team for joining us and deep diving into the emerging defence tech ecosystem! And we’re very grateful to our partners Sigma Software Labs for providing a comfortable space for the event. This is just the beginning of significant steps — over the course of the year, SOFF plans more delegation visits, focusing on autonomous systems, drones, and secure communication. We appreciate the opportunity to establish connections between Ukrainian startups and Swedish manufacturers — this is an important step towards deeper cooperation!

Open Call results: we’ve received and reviewed 95 (!) applications from promising defence tech startups ? Now, the exciting part begins! All teams that applied have received personalized feedback on their accelerator participation. We’ve created a shortlist of teams we’re already in discussions with about joining the program. The amount of groundbreaking innovations has us absolutely excited — however, there are only 10 spots available for teams to go through acceleration. If you didn’t make it this time — don’t worry! We’re eager to stay connected and share new opportunities for defence tech startups. What’s next? Check out the timeline — next week we’re hosting INTRO DAY, and the Defence Builder 2.0 program will officially kick off ?? Stay tuned!

?? LAST CALL for defence tech startups: application deadline is tomorrow ?? This is your final reminder to apply for the Defence Builder acceleration program! The application deadline is 28th February 2025 — don't miss out. ?? Who are we looking for? ? Defence tech startups: Interceptors, UAVs, Software, EW, Communication Systems. ? TRL 6-8: Your technology is in development and has a working prototype. ? Military endorsement: You have feedback from military users. ? Team size: 5+ dedicated members. ?? What’s in it for you? ? 4-month acceleration program. ? Initial grant of $10k. ? Opportunity to get additional $30k for the top 3 teams. ? Mentorship support. ??? Fill out the form here: https://lnkd.in/dSWeefy7 and take your startup to the next level! Deadline: 28.02.2025 We’re looking forward to your applications??

Ukraine is shaping the future of defence tech, and the Defence Builder team was glad to support Defense Tech Innovations Forum 2025 by BRAVE1 — the largest event in Ukrainian defence tech ?? With over 3,000 participants from 40+ countries, it proved that global interest in Ukraine’s defence sector is stronger than ever. The forum brought together top speakers, a massive EXPO of cutting-edge military tech (including our alumni Hard Cat Drones ??), and key discussions on innovation in land, air, sea, and space warfare. It also marked the launch of the Brave1 marketplace, opening new opportunities for military procurement. Yet, the real work starts now. To turn this incredible network into real progress, we need action — supporting early-stage startups, driving localization, and ensuring Ukraine stays at the forefront of defence innovation. Our team at Defence Builder — Kateryna Bezsudna, Alina Zhukovska, Maksym Cherkis and Roman Vorobei — is constantly working to secure the best opportunities for the growth of early-stage startups. Grateful to have supported the event alongside dedicated partners like DeViro, Quantum Systems, УМО Укра?на, ARX Robotics, R2 Wireless, Nezlamni, Uklon, Shield.ai, TEKEVER, Skyeton, European Union, Helsing, MyDefence and Innovation Support Office.

Battle-tested and driven by necessity, Ukrainian defence tech startups are pushing the boundaries of innovation — from aerial drones to electronic warfare. With a fresh approach to technology and military procurement, they are ready to disrupt global defence industries. Read more in Stephen Hurford’s latest article for Global Corporate Venturing ?? https://lnkd.in/ev38Egrb. The piece features insights from our Kateryna Bezsudna and the key players in our ecosystem, including Anton Verkhovodov (D3 Venture Capital Firm) and Artem Moroz (BRAVE1) We’re proud to see more Ukrainian startups gaining recognition, including Zvook, Airlogix and our Defence Builder alumni Hard Cat Drones ?? #DefenceTech #Ukraine #Innovation #Startups #MilitaryTech #InvestingInInnovation

??Are you ready to scale your defence tech startup? Apply to Defence Builder Accelerator 2.0! OPEN CALL, fill out the form here: https://lnkd.in/dSWeefy7? ? ??Who are we looking for? 》Defence tech startups. 》Domains: Interceptors, UAVs, Software, EW, Communication Systems. 》TRL 6-8: your technology is in development and already has a working prototype.? 》Military endorsement: you have feedback from the military users.? 》Team size: 5+ dedicated members. ??What’s in for startups?? 》4-month acceleration program; 》initial grant of $10k; 》opportunity to compete for $30k in funding for the top 3 teams;? 》comprehensive support, including: сrafting a compelling pitch deck; developing company structure and financial models; pitching sessions with investors and assistance in raising funds; participation in leading defenсe tech events; facilitating testing your solution with military users and integrating feedback; building relationships with government institutions, investors, and major defence manufacturers. Application DEADLINE: 28.02.2025? Don't miss the opportunity to fast-track your defence innovation!

?? Let’s meet at Defense Tech Innovations Forum 2025? Our partners at Brave1 are bringing together key players in the defense industry: Ukrainian and international manufacturers, researchers, investors, and representatives of innovative defense companies from partner countries. Defence Builder is joining as a forum partner! Our team — Kateryna Bezsudna, Roman Vorobei, Alina Zhukovska — will be there and happy to connect to discuss collaboration opportunities between defense startups, manufacturers, and investors.

2024 marked the launch and growth of Defence Builder, forging connections with industry leaders, investors, and startups from over 10 countries to advance defense innovation. Defence Builder team, our co-founders and startups participated in 20+ major international events, shaping defense tech: ?? Top global defense expos & summits – Eurosatory (France), AUSA (USA), SOF Week (USA), Berlin Security Conference (Germany) – engaging with policymakers, investors, and military leaders to shape the next generation of defense tech; ?? Key strategic forums – UK-Ukraine Tech Bridge Forum, Drone Defence Forum, UK-Ukraine Defence Tech Forum, Resilience Conference (UK), Wharton Aerospace Ventures conference (USA) – discussing the future of defense procurement, driving strategic industry dialogue beyond borders; ?? R&D & hackathons – mentoring the brightest minds at European Defence Tech Hackathon, Precision Hackathon by Brave1, and more. Beyond participating, Defence Builder was shaping the ecosystem, co-organizing and leading some of the most impactful industry gatherings in Ukraine: ? Defence Builder Intro Day & Demo Day – our events bringing together startups, investors, and defense industry leaders to accelerate innovation; ? Defence Vision Day, Machine Offensive 2.0? – co-organized with the Ministry of Defense to strengthen Ukrainian defense tech; ? Defense Tech Valley – joined as partner to strengthen Ukraine’s position in global defense tech, featuring top experts and decision-makers. ?? What’s next for 2025? We’re strengthening support for defense tech startups, expanding global partnerships, and launching new initiatives.