Founded in 2024, Defence Builder was created to address the lack of educational programmes for defenсe tech startups and support the systematic growth of Ukraine’s defenсe sector. The initiative is backed by Sigma Software Labs, Kyiv School of Economics, and Buntar Aerospace.

Defence Builder is seeking startups with a working prototype, tested in combat or field conditions, and initial feedback from military users. The second batch prioritises solutions in electronic warfare, unmanned aerial vehicles, communication systems, interceptors, and software. Participants will benefit from a structured four-month programme, gaining access to:

• $10,000 in startup grants and an opportunity to get additional grants from accelerator partners
• Expert-led lectures and mentorship across six key modules: military collaboration, business management, legal & finance, communications, manufacturing, and recruitment
• Strategic networking opportunities with defence investors, military representatives, and industry leaders
• Weekly pitch sessions to defence tech investors
• Testing opportunities at training grounds and battlefields to validate solutions
• Demo Day, where startups will present to a high-profile audience of investors and defence stakeholders

"Ukraine’s defence industry is advancing rapidly, and startups are key to enhancing our technological edge. The first Defence Builder batch showed that with the right support, startups can scale faster and deploy effectively. We've analysed past challenges, refined the programme, and strengthened our mentorship. This second batch will offer even more targeted support to teams ready to make a real impact," said Kateryna Bezsudna, Co-Founder and CEO of Defence Builder.

The first cohort of Defence Builder demonstrated significant growth from TRL-4 to TRL-7 putting the teams on the map for defence tech investors and securing first soft commitments. Three startups refined their products to align more closely with the needs of Ukraine’s defence forces, while another successfully tested their technologies in active combat zones.

Reflecting on the experience, Yevheniia from Hardcat, one of the startups from the first cohort, shared: “Defence Builder equipped us with the complete toolkit to secure essentials for startup growth, covering everything from legal support to production insights and investor engagement strategies.”

Applications for the second batch are open until February 28. Selected startups will undergo interviews and contract signing before the official program kick off on March 10.

Defence Builder also offers foreign partners the opportunity to support Ukraine’s defence tech development, invest in promising solutions, and collaborate with startups on joint R&D. The team is actively seeking partners to fund grants, invest in startups, and provide mentorship. Join Defence Builder and help shape the future of defence innovation in Ukraine.

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