Key Takeaways
- Tencore secures $3.74 million investment from US venture fund MITS Capital for defense robot development.
- The company plans to ramp up production of its TerMIT robotic platform to 2,000 units by the end of 2025.
- The Brave1 Defense Cluster aims to enhance collaboration in military technology and boost production capacity in Ukraine.
Investment in Defense Technology
Tencore, a Ukrainian robotics firm focused on developing technology for the Armed Forces, has received a $3.74 million investment from MITS Capital, an American venture fund. This investment marks the first time a US fund has directly invested in a Ukrainian defense technology company through a Ukrainian entity under Diia.City. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, the funds will be allocated to expand Tencore’s research and development and boost production capacity.
Tencore is recognized for its TerMIT platform, a ground robotic system compliant with NATO standards, actively utilized by defense forces. The company has already produced over 800 units and aims to increase production to 2,000 by the end of 2025. The Diia.City legal framework has introduced international venture investment tools, making it possible for tech startups in Ukraine to attract funding as securely as in the US and EU.
Ukraine’s Defense Industry Potential
In discussions about Ukraine’s defense capabilities, President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that the country has a defense industry potential exceeding $35 billion, featuring nearly a thousand types of weapons. He emphasized the necessity for additional funding to harness this potential fully. The Ukrainian defense sector is capable of producing over 8 million drones and various weapons annually.
Brave1 Defense Cluster Initiatives
Launched on April 26, 2023, the Brave1 Defense Cluster serves as a collaborative platform between military tech developers, the state, and business entities. This initiative is designed to amplify the production of military equipment. Additionally, the Brave1 Market, set to launch on April 28, 2025, will enable Armed Forces units to select and purchase technologies directly, initially with cash and later via “e-points.”
By June 2025, 3,600 developments will have been registered on the Brave1 platform, with 300 of them meeting NATO standards. The total grants for defense innovations have reached $50 million, with investments exceeding $65 million facilitated through this cluster. The Brave1 initiatives represent a strategic effort to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities in a rapidly evolving military landscape.
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