Defence Builder is a Kyiv-based defence tech accelerator, founded in 2024 by Sigma Software Labs, KSE - Kyiv School of Economics, and Buntar Aerospace.
The Accelerator unites military, engineers, founders, investors, and scientific institutions to transform early-stage defence innovations into combat-ready solutions for Ukraine's frontline.
15
Accelerated startups
6
Battlefield
proved
4
Currently deployed on the frontline
9
Tested their solutions with the Ministry of Defence
4
Successfully closed investment round
After successfully running two startup acceleration seasons and driving Ukraine’s defence-tech ecosystem, Defence Builder is i moving into a new era: scaling into Europe and allied nations, building partnerships with leading universities and research institutions, attracting top academic talents, and expanding its investment community across borders and beyond.
While acting internationally, Defence Builder will keep up and intensify its work with startups in Ukraine. The platform is launching the 3rd batch of the startup acceleration program.
A 4-month intensive program designed to scale promising defence tech startups through Ukrainian and European mentorship, focusing on both business and product development – from military R&D to battlefield testing.
01
Business structure, decision-making, execution discipline
02
Legal foundations and investable structure
03
OPSEC and information security
04
Product validation and structured feedback loops with the Ukrainian Armed Forces
05
Production and manufacturing readiness: from R&D to scale
06
Financial survival, unit economics and defence-specific cost logic
07
Fundraising readiness, including pitch preparation, investor communication, and understanding deal dynamics
08
Government relations, institutional navigation, procurement pathways, export and certifications (NATO/Ukraine)
09
Demo Day