Ukrainian defense capabilities are increasingly being supported by a growing ecosystem of startups developing autonomous naval vessels, land drones and other advanced systems aimed at countering Russia’s battlefield advantage.
One of the initiatives at the center of this shift is Defense Builder, a private-sector accelerator that provides early-stage funding, mentorship and military access to defense technology startups working in Ukraine’s war effort.
The program gives companies initial funding of around $10,000, followed by a four-month acceleration period designed to strengthen business foundations, attract investors and refine products with direct feedback from military units. In return, the armed forces gain access to lower-cost systems, while the accelerator takes a small equity stake in participating startups.
An man remote-controls a Soviet-era armoured vehicle that has been fitted with remote-driving capabilities by the Estonian company Telearmy at a defense technology event organized by the defence accelerator Defence Builder, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in an unspecified location in Ukraine, May 30, 2026. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
“Business is business, but we also all serve a bigger purpose,” said Defense Builder CEO Line Rindvig. “And it is to make sure that the solutions that are needed to win this war are getting the financial backing they need.”
As reported in Reuters, the initiative forms part of the Ukrainian Council of Defense Industries Investor Club, a network of around 25 institutions aimed at boosting investment in Ukraine’s defense sector. According to the group, disclosed investment in the sector rose from $1.1 million in 2023 to $105 million last year.
Among the companies taking part is BlueShadow, a Danish maritime intelligence and security firm founded by former U.S. submarine commander Charles Maher. The company is working with Ukrainian defense units to develop swarms of autonomous naval vessels designed to form a protective barrier off Ukraine’s Black Sea coast.
Maher said the system, once fully deployed, would involve four squadrons of 12 vessels operating 10 to 12 kilometers offshore. The first squadron, which could include missile and interceptor drone capabilities, may become operational by early 2027.
BlueShadow was one of eight startups demonstrating new defense systems over the weekend at an event organized by Defense Builder, highlighting the rapid integration of private-sector innovation into Ukraine’s military ecosystem.
A drone that is controlled through a fiberoptic cable flies near a pickup that is equipped with Telearmy remote-driving capabilities at a defense technology event organized by the defence accelerator Defence Builder, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in an unspecified location in Ukraine, May 30, 2026. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Land-based autonomous systems are also a growing focus. Estonian startup Telearmy has been developing remote-controlled vehicles that allow trucks and armored vehicles to be operated from hundreds of kilometers away. Founder Enn Laansoo said the technology can be adapted to almost any battlefield vehicle.
“You cannot send any more soldiers to the front line and our technology provides that layer so the soldier doesn’t have to be there,” he said.
The expansion of drone warfare has driven demand for both offensive and defensive systems. Ukrainian forces have increasingly used mid-strike drones to target Russian logistics hubs, air defenses and transport routes, but shortages have pushed startups like Wingtech to develop reusable fixed-wing drones capable of flying up to 300 kilometers and resisting electronic jamming.
Wingtech’s Haba drone has already been deployed on the battlefield for over a year, and the company is now seeking additional capital to scale production. According to Defense Builder, that funding has recently been secured through support from an established Ukrainian defense manufacturer.
Together, these developments reflect a rapidly evolving defense sector in Ukraine, where startups, investors and military units are increasingly operating within a shared innovation ecosystem aimed at sustaining frontline capabilities through automation and unmanned systems.
