Network in Ukraine
Direct access to Ukrainian defence integrators and units operating at the front line.
SITREP: Cohort 2/26 applications OPENDEMO DAY · 16 NOV · FINLANDFOCUS: EW · Comms · Unmanned · Strike · Air Defence · Integration · Vision AIFUNDING: €20-60k per startupR&D CENTER IN UKRAINESTATUS: APPLICATIONS_OPENSITREP: Cohort 2/26 applications OPENDEMO DAY · 16 NOV · FINLANDFOCUS: EW · Comms · Unmanned · Strike · Air Defence · Integration · Vision AIFUNDING: €20-60k per startupR&D CENTER IN UKRAINESTATUS: APPLICATIONS_OPEN
> ./17TECH --INIT --THEATER=FI,UA,NATO --STATUS=APPLICATIONS_OPEN
LAT60.1699°N
LON24.9384°E
UTC04:17:22Z
STATUSAPPLICATIONS_OPEN
[COHORT_2/26] OPENHEL · KYIV
VALIDATE Defence tech for Finland, Ukraine & NATO.
> 17Tech accelerates defence startups.
Battlefield validation, R&D center in Ukraine and military as well as investor networks — deployed at the speed of modern conflict.
€20–60k
Funding
30+
Accelerators run by mentors
500+
Startup investments
FI,UA,NATO
Theaters
/ Validation
Battlefield-tested. Validated where it matters.
Validate your idea with soldiers. Gain access to our R&D center in Kyiv and battlefields in Ukraine. Get your product tested in real combat conditions
— so iteration speed matches the speed of war.
Real Battlefield Testing
Get your product into the hands of operators using it in real combat conditions — feedback measured in days, not quarters.
R&D Center in Kyiv
Get access into our R&D center in Kyiv, Ukraine for rapid iteration cycles with engineers and operators side by side.
/ Program
A structured program built for the requirements of the modern battlefield.
We change how startups do product development — with feedback loops from real battlefields. Validate, develop and test your products where they're intended to be used. When validated, we introduce them to defence forces together.
Battlefield Testing
Direct access to validation and testing close to the front line via our Ukrainian network.
Connections
Bridge to NATO defence forces, alliances and procurement decision-makers.
Mentorship
Weekly 1-on-1s with R&D leaders, defence operators and global tech executives.
Funding
€20-60k for 4–12% equity, plus introductions to our investor network for follow-on capital.
Demo Day
Closed presentations to investors, defence buyers, integrators and military leadership.
/ Startup Newsletter
Want to see the full program?Join the startup newsletter
Get program updates, application deadlines and frontline intel built for defence founders. One email at a time, no fluff.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
/ Focus Areas
What's capturing our attention right now.
We invest across defence-related themes, with priority on technologies with immediate tactical relevance.
[VEC_01]MISSILES
Missile Systems
Components, materials and testing infrastructure for next-gen missiles.
0x113 ENGAGED
[VEC_02]AUTONOMY
AI & Autonomy
Autonomous target recognition, turret aiming and swarm coordination for UAVs.
0x12A ENGAGED
[VEC_03]UAVS
Unmanned Aerial Systems
Tube-launched, kamikaze, interceptor (450+ km/h), CAB and radiation-homing drones.
0x1311 ENGAGED
[VEC_04]ENABLERS
Enabling Technologies
MavLink stacks, 200+ km comms, GNSS anti-jamming, small radars and laser designators.
0x1418 ENGAGED
[VEC_05]GROUND
Ground Robotic Systems
Autonomous turrets, logistics, engineering, amphibious, MEDEVAC and recon UGVs.
0x151F ENGAGED
[VEC_06]MARITIME
Maritime
Unmanned surface vessels, underwater strike drones and torpedo mines.
0x1626 ENGAGED
[VEC_07]FUTURE
Future Technologies
Anti-drone lasers, railguns and EMP weapons.
0x172D ENGAGED
[VEC_08]MUNITIONS
Munitions
Anti-artillery UAV munitions, precision-guided rounds and smart minefield control.
0x1834 ENGAGED
[VEC_09]SPECTRUM
Electronic Warfare & Recon
Video-channel jamming, anti-CAB EW, airborne EW and Mavic/Autel countermeasures.
0x193B ENGAGED
[VEC_10]COMPONENTS
Components
Flight controllers, RF amps, ESCs, thermal lenses, hybrid power units and ramjets.
0x1A42 ENGAGED
Building in these areas? We want to talk to you.
Apply Now/ Team & Mentors
Decades of defence, investment & accelerator experience.
Our team and mentors come from top research institutes, executives and product leaders at successful tech companies, and veterans from the Ukrainian frontline. We help validate, test and develop your ideas, find investors and land customers.
Become a Mentor
Experienced professional with military, defence, investment, business or technology background? Help protect freedom and shape future defence technologies.
- People who want to do pro bono mentoring or
- People who want to invest or
- Advisors or board members or you may become team member
/ FAQ
Questions from the field.
Common intel requests from founders evaluating the program. If something's missing, get in touch.