European VC breaks taboo by investing in pure defense tech from Ukraine’s war zones


Defense Tech went from a zone going to a warm investment sector for VCS. However, binary use – should also be civil applications of technology – it is still required for most NATO Innovation Fund.

Estonian VC company Darks Sometimes it comes from this trend by investing in purely military applications, the battle-proven solutions that arise in order to help reconstruct the Revral From Ukraine. “It’s not just today, but very critical for the next 10 years,” said the General Partner Ragnar Sass (second from the left in the picture).

The company helps an approach to this mission, to begin to the beginnings to bring products to military customers in both Ukraine and Europe. For Ukraine’s teams, it also means supporting the establishment of appropriate institutions in NATO countries such as Estonia. “Any company, which wants to be part of European purchases or grants, must be perfect,” he said.

During the next six to 12 months, a fundraising target of 25 million euros (about $ 29.2 million) intends to pay attention to seeds and seed tours, which is an ordinary verification size from 3 million euros to 1 million euros. He has already invested in two investments: in the beginning of Ukraine-Estonia Farsight VisionSpecialized in 3D mapping for location analysts and drone pilots and Touchythis Develop ammunition for drones.

For the sass, investing in weapons was not an open action. This is the main figure in Estonia’s startup ecosystem since SKYPE’s founders financed the first beginningA society for homeowners, went to the found CRM and a sales tool Pippedrivand used this income Unicorn size performance do More than 50 angel investment.

There were unicorns, including some of these investments Absiless. But none of them were in defense, even in 2022, SAS after Ukraine’s full-scale occupation Assistance to trucks and Ukrainefor his personal and Lights.

“It took a mentally long time to understand what I wanted to participate in the arms systems,” he said. Finally, Estonia made the choice of a year and a half ago in Drone Startup Crattworks He was the first defense investment.

A turning point for Krattworks SAS was recorded; It was also his last investment as an angel investor. Now, using a coalition that forms a coalition and bootcamps, which is a coalition, which is a decade of ten years, puts money as a coalist practice In the Hackathon community Garage48 Between 2010 and 2020. Since then, Mash went to finance and sell another company, Skip to xAlthough it is not known whether he has made money from the speech.

Sass is not the only one who supports this approach. DarkStar completed 15 million euros (about $ 17.5 million), supported by LP, supported by European entrepreneurs, family departments and the Estonian state, completed the first vinegar (about $ 17.5 million) SmartcapTechCrunch learned only.

Supporting a Foundation like DarkStar, along with the Lithuanian Sovereign VC Foundation, SmartCap also makes it an exception Coinvest Capitalhaving the authority to do Defense investments without demanding civilian cases In 2023. It is no coincidence that all of them come from the baltic.

As Russia’s proximity and former occupation of the Soviet Union recognizes the importance of investments, it now provides estemance to Estonians, such as the emergency feeling in Europe. “But if you do not know true in this area, you are fighting,” he said. For DarkStar, the building that is thinking about the end of the end users from the first day.

In the case of DarkStar, the latest users are Ukraine’s brigades. When making some changes is carried outThe country has accepted a suitable approach to make their decisions of the war units. It can be difficult to walk for outsiders, but Sass started head.

“In the past three and a half years since 20 years, I personally had a 100 plus united commander – I spent time, talking to them, many of them are learning, very common.

Although Cheap First Person Appearance (FPV) Drones are used Destroy the equipment worth millions ofSass says that the technological developments from Ukraine are easily copy can be a mistake. There is a sophistication – “Most elite drone battalions in Ukraine have their R & D” and there is speed on both sides of the front. For example, fiber-optic drones have been A game changer.

For beginners outside Ukraine, this solution that works on paper can be meaningless and the place is designed to help DarkStar’s bootcamplings. Next, this summer will take place in Kiev and therefore WebsiteCompanies will give “opinions, field testing opportunities and war confirmation.”

DarkStar’s flow flow will come from the bootcamplings that employees work with teams for five days. However, the pipeline is wider and Ukraine’s team in accordance with 2000 differs. “Many of the Ukrainian companies we look at are not six months; they have been around two and plus years and managed to build a product and company with a minimum capital.”

The general mobilization of Ukrainian men is not as large as it is often assumed. The founders can effectively receive the operation and travel confirmation of combat, and said that Victoriia was a celebration, including Farsight Vision CEO, including Ukraine’s defensive starters. As for the restriction from Ukraine’s defense technology, it is an obstacle During the deletion.

Darkstar and Farsight Vision
DarkStar GPS Kasper Ginging, Farps Jungen and Ragnar Sass, Victoria YaremchukPhoto credits:Darks

Sass applies a similar spatial philosophy for defense investment. At that time, “Early Stage Nordic Starts should be cut off deficit And go to Silicon Valley, “DarkStar will not invest only in Ukraine. Others speaking with teams in Latvia, England and Germany in England and Germany.” One or two, this [portfolio] There will be a more diverse and mixed group. “

In adaptation for this purpose, DarkStar describes himself as a Pan-European in the background. Sass, Estonian-based GPS’s ten-year wise and March Noorma in roles of engineering and information sciences, director NATO Cooperative Cyber ​​Defense Center Perfection Center (on the left in the main picture). The fourth GP is located along with additional workers in Philip Jungen, Germany, other partners and Ukraine.

As for the categories, DarkStar plans to invest in autonomous systems, air defense, electromagnetic war, communication, cyber, sensors, sensors, as well as in control and intelligence.

According to Sass, some of them can now be converted to targets for cash rich contractors who are now fighting for the rapid solutions they want to buy from them. However, the war in Ukraine has changed how the war changes in modern warfare, and other beginnings can reach hundreds of million, and even reach the public.

It is unknown whether defensive beginnings can achieve their success, especially those who are not civilians. However, the rapid rise and evaluation of companies Sensor and Welfare Along with the wave of new protection-oriented funds, the enterprise shows that the entity is more seriously accepted.

In both cases, the long-sight of the table continues. Although nafo hugs his humor, a Global online movement using memorists to support UkraineSass also provides a vigilant warning about Russia’s ruthless war economy. “The enemy is moving very fast, and therefore, I believe that this must have more way to the technological society to solve this giant and growing danger.”



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