Meet us in London, UK, on May 21 at the Ukrainian Drone Defence Forum 2024 bringing together the defence industry leaders, manufacturers, investors, and public sector. More than 30 experts in the field will gather to discuss strategic issues in drone production, communication between the two countries, and building business relationships between Ukrainian and UK companies.
The full-scale invasion highlighted the gap in technologies adapted to the new era. As the emergence of defence projects is currently a hot topic around the world, the attention of defence organizations — from private to NATO — is focused on the world’s largest battlefield. Ukraine not only produces drones and develops defence startups, but also has a significant advantage in rapid product testing and feedback from the military, making the country a potential leader in defence technology. This is why joint projects, forums, events dedicated to defence technologies and open communication across all sectors — from business and investors to the public sector — are important for global safety.
Our participation in the forum is part of supporting Ukrainian startups on their way to growth. Ukrainian startup founders attract the attention of the private sector no less than tech giants. We already see multiple success cases, but generating even more new opportunities is extremely needed today. Thus, Buntar Aerospace, a Ukrainian manufacturer of drones for long-range flights, closed a $1M round including ticket from D3 Venture Capital – a fund backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. In addition, Himera, a manufacturer of radio system devices, received a $100,000 “test” check from the German venture capital fund Freedom Fund, and now has a partnership with the American defence technology company Reticulate Micro.
Ukrainian startups also have government support through Brave1, with more than 1600 projects applied and 189 received $3.3 million in total as grants for initial development since July 2023. With 2024 increased budgets, innovators can now receive grants of $12,000, $25,000, and $50,000 each. Therefore, technologies with global focus are in the interest from both within and outside the country, positively changing the investment climate in the whole defence sector.
To support overall segment growth in April 2024, we stepped in as partners to Defence Builder – accelerator for Ukrainian defence tech startups. This program aims to create conditions for the systemic development of the country’s defence sector. Recently, the cooperation agreement between Defence Builder and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine was signed to jointly support developers in creating technological solutions for Armed Forces and delivering them to the front line as quickly as possible.
Our Investment Director Daria Yaniieva has been invited to speak at the Forum, where she will discuss how Ukrainian innovation and adaptability serves as game-changers for the new technologies in a service
“The shifted war paradigm highlights a lack of technologies designed for real combat missions in modern warfare and changes the landscape of the whole industry towards smart solutions. Events like the Ukrainian Drone Defence Forum are now even more important than ever to serve as a vital platform for collaboration, innovation, and the synergy of resources and approaches. Together, we’re finding new ways to protect our countries and make the world a safer place for everyone.”
— says Daria Yaniieva, our Investment Director and member of the Advisory Board at Defence Builder
Sigma Software is a partner of the Forum and the event itself has the official support and participation of the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, the UK Department for Business, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Defence of UK
We look forward to seeing you at the Ukrainian Drone Defence Forum. Let’s meet and find synergies, contact us at: join@labs.sigma.software
