There’s a fact we can’t avoid: recently, more and more attention (and funding) has been flowing into the defence sector. Whether it’s due to growing global tensions, advances in autonomous tech, or rising concerns about national security, defence has become a hot topic for both governments and investors.
For a long time, Europe didn’t see much investment in defence startups compared to places like the U.S. or China. But that’s clearly changing. Not so long ago, the NATO Innovation Fund, a €1 billion venture fund backed by 23 member countries, was created to support startups tackling security and defence challenges with cutting-edge technology.
In this article, we highlight a new generation of defence startups founded between 2021 and today. From AI-powered decision-making tools to next-gen unmanned systems, these 10 companies are building the technologies shaping the future of European defence.
Based in London, Arondite is a defence technology company developing the core software and AI systems needed to support the rise of autonomous technologies in modern defence. Their work focuses on making complex robotic and autonomous systems interoperable, flexible and secure—helping military and security forces manage the growing flood of data and hardware on the battlefield.
Arondite’s tools are designed to enable ethical, human-machine teaming, keeping people in control while boosting speed, precision and situational awareness. By combining expertise in AI, hardware integration and large-scale technical programme delivery, the company is building a software layer that connects and coordinates diverse systems across missions. Founded in 2023, they have secured around €10.5 million.
Based in Amsterdam, Avalor AI designs mission-critical artificial intelligence systems for autonomous defence operations. Their core product, Nexus, provides multi-domain distributed mission autonomy, enabling unmanned vehicles across air, land, and sea to plan, coordinate and execute complex missions with minimal human intervention. Built for real-world military conditions, Nexus supports operations in electronic warfare-contested environments and integrates with NATO systems for seamless fire support, force tracking and interoperability.
The platform powers tasks such as surveillance (ISTAR), strike, relay and decoy missions, all through a centralised human-machine interface. With capabilities like real-time object tracking, damage assessment, and intelligent swarm control, Avalor’s software enables a single operator to manage many unmanned systems across domains. Their simulation environment also supports operator training and concept development, mirroring real-world conditions. Founded in 2021, Avalor AI has raised €2 million.
Based in Paris, Comand AI provides advanced AI-driven capabilities for command and control in defence operations. The company focuses on enhancing human decision-making and operational readiness through innovative software solutions tailored to military needs.
Comand AI’s platform, Prevail, is designed to give armed forces a tactical edge by combining real-time battlefield data, AI simulations, and intuitive planning tools. It allows users to generate mission plans in minutes, analyse complex tactical situations, and adapt plans on the fly using reinforcement learning models. Rather than replacing human judgment, the software boosts it, multiplying the speed and clarity of strategic decisions. Built by a team of military veterans and top-tier tech experts in 2023, Comand AI delivers resilient, user-friendly solutions capable of operating even in disrupted or offline environments. To date, they have raised €11.5 million.
Based in London, Delian Alliance Industries is a defence company developing autonomous technologies to support the security needs of Europe and its allies. By combining hardware and software, Delian aims to improve how defence forces operate, offering more flexible and cost-effective tools for modern military and civil protection tasks.
The company focuses on areas like electronic warfare, surveillance, navigation without GPS, and AI-powered communications. Its products include autonomous surveillance towers, tools for drone operations, and systems that help monitor coastal areas or borders. Delian’s core platform, Strikeweb, brings all these technologies together, making it easier to run complex autonomous missions. Whether it’s spotting forest fires, tracking movement across borders, or gathering intel in difficult environments, Delian is building tools designed to perform reliably in real-world defence situations. Founded in 2021, they have secured €7.1 million.
Based in Berlin, Helsing offers artificial intelligence solutions to support defence operations across land, air, sea and subsurface environments. The company builds software that connects with both new and existing military hardware, helping defence forces detect threats, coordinate actions, and engage targets more effectively through autonomous systems.
Helsing’s technology includes AI-enabled drones, autonomous underwater vehicles, surveillance systems, and software agents designed to support aircraft pilots in complex missions. Their tools are built with a software-first approach and are designed to strengthen the capabilities of democratic nations while upholding high ethical standards. Helsing works closely with governments and defence partners to make sure its technology fits within real-world military needs, while remaining transparent and responsible in its development. Founded in 2021, they have secured approximately €1.36 billion!
Based in Mauguio, NEXSTUN develops innovative non-lethal tools for law enforcement and personal protection. Their flagship product, the E-Stunglove, is a patented electric impulse glove designed to help users maintain control in high-risk situations without causing permanent harm. Lightweight, portable and effective at close range, the glove delivers a controlled electric discharge that temporarily immobilises an individual, offering a safer alternative to traditional force in critical moments.
The glove is built to meet strict safety standards, delivering up to 25 milliamps for two seconds, enough to induce muscular contraction without risk of lasting injury or cardiac complications. NEXSTUN’s solutions were developed in collaboration with police forces, forensic departments and healthcare professionals, ensuring practical design and responsible use. Their commitment to European quality and smart, connected R&D has helped them position themselves at the forefront of non-lethal tech. Founded in 2021, they landed €45 million in funding just three months ago.
Based in Paris, Orasio is an AI-powered video intelligence company that helps public and private organisations detect and respond to critical events in real time. Their platform transforms video streams into actionable insights—identifying anomalies, suspicious behaviours, or safety threats while respecting user privacy and complying fully with GDPR and the EU AI Act.
Orasio’s technology can be used for everything from urban surveillance and border control to fire detection and crowd monitoring. It offers real-time alerts, assisted natural language search, and flexible deployment—whether on the cloud, on-premise, or directly on cameras. Designed and hosted entirely in Europe, Orasio’s solution stands out for its sovereign, ethical approach to video analysis, enabling faster and more effective decision-making without compromising on data protection or transparency. Founded in 2025, they have raised €16 million.
Based in Riga, Origin Robotics is a defence technology company focused on developing advanced autonomous systems that strengthen the operational capabilities of Europe and its NATO allies. The company combines cost-efficient hardware with high-performance software to deliver solutions that are fast to deploy, adaptable, and built to meet the challenges of today’s evolving battlefield.
Among its core products are BEAK, a man-portable precision-guided weapon system with a 15 km range and jamming resistance, and BLAZE, an AI-powered autonomous interceptor designed to detect and neutralise drones. Both systems are built with an emphasis on affordability and battlefield efficiency, allowing governments to respond effectively without incurring excessive costs. Origin Robotics invests private capital into R&D, enabling faster development cycles and rapid delivery of operational solutions. Founded in 2022, they have raised €8.5 million.
Based in London, Roark Aerospace develops autonomous defence systems and operates one of the world’s largest global networks for drone detection and hyperspectral imaging. The company’s focus is on enabling real-time situational awareness by integrating advanced sensors, counter-UAS technologies, and decision-making tools into a single, flexible platform that can be deployed across land, air, and sea operations.
Roark’s offerings include drone detection-as-a-service (DDaaS), counter-drone effectors, drone-for-robot (DFR) deployment capabilities, and persistent imaging solutions using WAMI (wide-area motion imagery) and hyperspectral sensors. Its Plexus AI system supports automated threat detection and control, while the company’s edge-based command platform combines frequency scanning, decryption and doppler shift analysis to track even the most evasive UAVs. Founded in 2022, they have raised approximately €57.6 million.
Based in Vilnius, Unmanned Defense Systems is a defence and aerospace company focused on designing and manufacturing advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) and supporting software for modern combat environments. Their solutions are built around a complete “detect, engage, command” model, covering surveillance, precision strikes, and autonomous mission control. UDS has become known for delivering resilient and cost-effective technology that’s been tested in real-world battlefield conditions.
Key offerings include FORECASTER, an advanced ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) drone, and AVENGER 5, a long-range loitering munition platform capable of deep-strike missions. These systems are managed through SwarmC2, UDS’s software suite that enables coordinated drone swarming, real-time retasking, and seamless integration with defence systems like SitaWare and ATAK. With features such as self-healing networks, GNSS-denied navigation, and intuitive operator interfaces, UDS supports national defence forces with fast-deploying, user-friendly technology. Founded in 2022, they have securedover €4.2 million.
By the way: If you’re a corporate or investor looking for exciting startups in a specific market for a potential investment or acquisition, check out our Startup Sourcing Service!
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/06/the-frontline-of-innovation-10-european-defence-tech-startups-to-watch-in-2025/
