Since Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine has become one of the most active defense-innovation environments in the world — drones, counter-UAS, EW, logistics and dual-use software, much of it combat-tested. Horizon Grid runs a dedicated advisory track to get these founders investor-ready and in front of the funds and family offices actively backing this sector.
Ukrainian defense and dual-use founders are often years ahead on product-market fit — their technology is proven in the field — but most have never built an international cap table, run a compliance-clean data room, or pitched a Western fund used to SaaS-style diligence. That gap is exactly what we close.
Narrative, compliance and structuring support tailored to defense-tech fundraising abroad — including how to talk about dual-use classification, export control and IP ownership in terms an international fund can underwrite.
Warm intros to defense-focused funds, family offices and strategic investors through our Network VC Defense partnership — no cold outreach into a sector that runs almost entirely on trusted referrals.
Priority pitch slots at our defense-tech pitch series and partner events across Europe — including sessions in Madrid and Limassol dedicated to drones, counter-UAS and dual-use technology.
Ukrainian defense-tech startups raised roughly $105M in 2025, and new funds keep launching specifically to back this category — a €50M fund dedicated to Ukraine's defense founders, a €20M Ukraine–France defense-tech vehicle, and specialist vehicles like Front Ventures backing defense innovation across Ukraine and Sweden. The capital is there. What most founders lack isn't a product story — it's a warm path to the people who write the checks.
Founders building drones and counter-UAS systems, electronic warfare, defense logistics and manufacturing tech, and dual-use software with both civilian and military applications.
A data room that survives Western due diligence, a narrative that separates the defensible technology from the war context, and clarity on ownership, export control and where revenue can legally flow.
Founders in this track go through the same Growth Readiness Diligence process we run for every startup we advise — adapted for defense-sector specifics.
Tell us about your startup — what you've built, what stage you're at, and what kind of investor you're looking for — and we'll place you at the next relevant event or make a direct introduction.