Defence technology startup Origin has secured €4 million in funding to drive the development of its innovative drone-launched precision-guided weapon systems. The financing includes €2.4 million in venture capital from Change Ventures, alongside additional backing from Silicon Roundabout Ventures, and €1.6 million from EU grants and the Latvian Ministry of Defence. This funding will enable Origin to expand its engineering and sales teams, accelerating progress on its flagship product, BEAK, which has already gained commercial traction with NATO-aligned countries and proven its effectiveness in battlefield settings.
Addressing a critical gap in defence technology
The conflict in Ukraine has exposed the rapidly changing nature of warfare and forced all nations to re-examine their defence capabilities. Traditional precision-strike systems often come at a high price, limiting access and flexibility. While current alternatives like loitering and FPV (First Person View) drones are available, they face vulnerabilities such as susceptibility to electronic interference and limited range. Origin’s technology aims to bridge this gap by providing defence forces with an affordable, robust alternative that retains critical system components, enabling reuse and reducing costs per deployment.
BEAK: A new benchmark in cost-efficiency and precision
Origin’s flagship product, the BEAK, is a man-portable ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) drone equipped with precision-guidance technology. Unlike traditional munitions that embed and lose high-value components upon impact, the BEAK’s unique design retains reusable components, enabling a significant reduction in operational costs. Built with advanced AI-driven autonomy and computer-vision algorithms, BEAK excels in complex environments, even under heavy electronic jamming, making it an invaluable tool for rapid-response scenarios.
Agris Kipurs, co-founder and CEO of Origin, said: “We find ourselves in a new era where security can no longer be taken for granted and warfare is evolving rapidly. We saw an opportunity to leverage our decade of experience building autonomous drones for the demanding needs of action sports enthusiasts to create an alternative to today’s expensive precision-guided munitions.”
The BEAK employs advanced computer-vision algorithms and AI for precision guidance technology and autonomous flight, allowing it to navigate complex environments and respond to threats even under intense radio jamming. In addition to these capabilities, the BEAK is man-portable, quick to deploy, and designed for ease of use, making it highly desirable for defence forces operating in rapidly changing environments.
Andris K. Berzins, Partner at Change Ventures, said: “Having known Agris and Ilya for a decade through their successful launch of the world’s leading action sports drone Airdog, I knew this team is unlike the many that have started learning how to build a drone startup only since the Ukraine invasion two years ago. Their ability to combine this expertise with an ambitious vision to reshape the precision weapons market, and their remarkable traction within the past 18 months, made investing in Origin an easy choice.”
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/10/riga-based-origin-secures-e4-million-aiming-to-revolutionise-precision-weapon-systems/
