Location

1234

DATE

05/10

YEAR

2026
Batch 4 Batch 4 Batch 4
24
Days
23
Hours
18
Minutes
47
Seconds
24
D
23
H
18
M
47
S

BATCH 4.0

BATCH 4.0

BATCH 4.0

Come with technology.

Come with technology.

Come with technology.

Leave with an investable company.

Leave with an investable company.

Leave with an investable company.

Application deadline:

Application deadline:

October 30, 2026

You get access to

You get access to

80+

experts, matched to your milestones

Product, R&D, AI, production, capital, export

Product, R&D, AI, production, capital, export

30+

military units

Use-case reviews, field days, demos to procurement officers.

Use-case reviews, field days, demos to procurement officers.

$60M+

raised by the founders in the room

People who built what you're building.

People who built what you're building.

100+

investors

Reached when your evidence is ready.

Reached when your evidence is ready.

1:1

with prime founders and CEOs

An hour with the person who decides, not a panel.

An hour with the person who decides, not a panel.

NATO

(EU & US) institutional access

A NATO workshop, sessions with the Defense Innovation Unit, Department of War, demos to the General Staff.

A NATO workshop, sessions with the Defense Innovation Unit, Department of War, demos to the General Staff.

Programme terms

Cohort

10 selected companies

10 selected companies

Duration

Four months

Four months

Geographic eligibility

Geographic
eligibility

Open globally

Open globally

Format

Hybryd

Hybryd

Expected commitment

Expected
commitment

~2 one-hour workshops per week,
individual work between sessions

~2 one-hour workshops per week, individual work between sessions

Working languages

Working
languages

English and Ukrainian

English and Ukrainian

Grant

starting grant and additional funding
from our partners based on its performance

starting grant and additional funding
from our partners based on its performance

We know how to build
the industry's top cases

We know how to build
the industry's top cases

0

Accelerator cohorts since 2024

0

Accelerator cohorts since 2024

0

Current portfolio companies

0

Current portfolio companies

$0K+

Grant funding companies

$0K+

Grant funding companies

$0M+

combined valuation of all cohorts

$0M+

combined valuation of all cohorts

0.00%

Acceptance rate

0.00%

Acceptance rate

0+

Unique military units engaged

0+

Unique military units engaged

  • Demo Day Batch 3

    250+ participants

    70+ investors

    Read more

    Read more

  • Field Demo Day

    80+ military participants

    10 Media

    Read more

    Read more

  • NATO Workshop

    50+ Participants

    Read more

    Read more

  • Demo Day Batch 3

    250+ participants

    70+ investors

    Read more

    Read more

  • Field Demo Day

    80+ military participants

    10 Media

    Read more

    Read more

  • NATO Workshop

    50+ Participants

    Read more

    Read more

What does it take to become
a top case in this industry?

What does it take to become a top case in this industry?

What does it take to become
a top case in this industry?

You today

A working prototype at TRL 4+ and a team that knows the technology.
No answers yet to what a customer asks first: who validated it, who buys it, who owns the IP, what it costs to build a hundred.


You in four months

Validation evidence from real units. A procurement pathway.
Clean IP and export answers. Unit economics that hold.
A production plan. Investors who take the meeting.

Validation evidence from real units. A procurement pathway.
Clean IP and export answers.
Unit economics that hold.
A production plan. Investors who take the meeting.

  • 01

    Assess

    Baseline assessment

    02

    Prioritise

    Company-specific roadmap and 3–5 milestones

    03

    Build

    Baseline assessment

    04

    Validate

    Testing and structured user feedback

    05

    Demonstrate

    Selected demonstrations and presentations to relevant stakeholders

    06

    Review

    inal readiness review and next-step priorities

    07

    Continue

    Six-month execution roadmap and portfolio support

  • 01

    Assess

    Baseline assessment

    02

    Prioritise

    Company-specific roadmap and 3–5 milestones

    03

    Build

    Baseline assessment

    04

    Validate

    Testing and structured user feedback

    05

    Demonstrate

    Selected demonstrations and presentations to relevant stakeholders

    06

    Review

    inal readiness review and next-step priorities

    07

    Continue

    Six-month execution roadmap and portfolio support

What we are looking for

What we are looking for

Defined through input from defence users, manufacturers and industry experts. Complete systems, software, modules, components and subsystems are eligible at TRL 4+.
Companies built through the DB Accelerator —
from early prototypes to deployable defence technologies

Layered protection from airborne threats

Technologies that improve the detection, tracking and coordinated countering of unmanned aerial threats and guided aerial bombs.

Multisensor detection

Local protection

Interceptor launch and guidance

Guided aerial bomb countermeasures

Resilient communications and navigation

Technologies that maintain control, telemetry, data exchange and navigation when primary communication links or satellite positioning are degraded or unavailable.

Stationary and portable relays

Airborne relays

Multichannel communications

Remote-control infrastructure

Alternative navigation

Faster response and operational readiness

Technologies that reduce the time between receiving verified target information and activating an appropriate response.

Ready-to-activate systems

Target allocation and data integration

Long-duration remote observation

Precision 

and autonomy for unmanned and guided systems

Onboard modules and software that improve detection, guidance, autonomous operation and coordination while reducing dependence on continuous operator control and satellite positioning.

Onboard detection and tracking

Guidance and terminal correction

Laser designation

Safe degraded-mode behaviour

Guided aerial bomb countermeasures

Multi-system coordination

Robotic systems for hazardous tasks 

and human physical support

Robotic and human-support technologies that reduce the need for people to enter high-risk environments and decrease physical strain during demanding tasks.

Mission-specific ground robotics

Remote equipment servicing

System recovery

Passive exoskeletons

Active physical support

Next-horizon technologies

Emerging technologies with a working demonstrator and the potential to create new defence capabilities or remove major limitations of existing systems.

Advanced energy

Autonomous sensing and communications

Directed-energy technologies

Other transformative solutions

Active physical support

Modules, components and subsystems for existing platforms

Integration-ready technologies that replace unavailable or unreliable components, remove defined technical constraints or add new capabilities to existing defence systems.

Control and onboard computing

Communications and navigation

Power systems

Propulsion and actuation

Ground equipment and diagnostics

Programme

Programme

Military validation

military relevance

practitioner feedback

field days

validation evidence

procurement pathways

Business track

business model

unit economics

governance and IP

investor materials

fundraising

01

01

Product & R&D

We bring

Engineers, integrators and R&D experts who have shipped defence hardware.

Engineers, integrators and R&D experts who have shipped defence hardware.

You leave with

A roadmap your own technical team signs off on, and evidence behind every priority.

A roadmap your own technical team signs off on, and evidence behind every priority.

02

02

Validation & Procurement

We bring

Military end-users, testing environments, procurement officers.

Military end-users, testing environments, procurement officers.

You leave with

Validation evidence a customer.

Validation evidence a customer.

03

03

Company & 

Capital

We bring

Founders who have raised $60M+, defence investors, IP and export counsel.

Founders who have raised $60M+, defence investors, IP and export counsel.

You leave with

Unit economics that survive due diligence, clean IP, and an investment case built on evidence.

Unit economics that survive due diligence, clean IP, and an investment case built on evidence.

04

04

Production & Global Markets

We bring

Manufacturers, suppliers, certification and export specialists.

Manufacturers, suppliers, certification and export specialists.

You leave with

A production plan and a first market beyond Ukraine.

A production plan and a first market beyond Ukraine.

AI in Operations

AI in
Operations

Faster processes, less routine.

More output with the same resources.

Faster decisions, smarter workflows.

AI R&D

Swift development and better decision making.

Acceleration of product innovation development.

Faster technology testing.

Executive Roundtables

Learn directly from experienced industry leaders 

and build up your network

Direct access to C-level expertise

Practical insights from real cases

Warm industry connections

Selected Contributors

Selected Contributors

Oleksandr Kharkovets

Commander of the Alter Ego Battalion, first UGV unit of the 93rd Brigade "Kholodny Yar

Roman Pohorilyi

Military analyst, co-founder of DeepState, Leading OSINT expert in battlefield

Anna Gustova

Strategic Advisor of Innovations & Development to the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces

Anatolii Khrapchynskyi

Air Force Reserve Officer · 
EW Expert · Director of Development, Defence Industry Company

Ivan Kaunov

Co-Founder & CEO, Buntar Aerospace · Ukrainian new-gen defence entrepreneur & MilTech expert

Martin Valovsky

Founding Partner, Baryon Investment Fund

Nicholas MacGowan von Holstein

Founding Partner, Bifrost Defence

Niels Vejrup Carlsen

Founding Partner, Final Frontier VC

Vijay Sekhara

Ex-Program Director, ScaleWolf Accelerator & NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator 'DIANA'

Maksym Levkivskyi

Defence Technology Executive, Product Development & Systems Engineering Expert

Defender

Military Advisor

Defender

Defence Tech Advisor

Partners

Demo Day is not the finish line

Demo Day is not the finish line

01

01

A named portfolio manager

A named portfolio manager

One person, monthly check-ins, your six-month roadmap.

One person, monthly check-ins, your six-month roadmap.

02

02

The network stays open

The network stays open

Manufacturers, integrators, end-users — introductions in a day.

Manufacturers, integrators, end-users — introductions in a day.

03

03

Capital readiness

Capital readiness

Deck and data-room feedback. Investor intros when the evidence is ready.

Deck and data-room feedback. Investor intros when the evidence is ready.

04

04

International access

International access

3+ delegations a year. 70+ events with special invitations. Market-entry support where you're actually going.

3+ delegations a year. 70+ events with special invitations. Market-entry support where you're actually going.

Case studies

Case studies

  • Unmanned aerial systems

    TRL 5 → TRL 7

    Batch 1.0

    Fremen joined at an early proof-of-concept stage with strong engineering expertise but needed support with R&D, testing, integrations and business development. During the programme, the team advanced from TRL 2 to TRL 6 and built connections with military users, defence manufacturers and research institutions.

    TRL 2 → 6

    Technology maturity

    LOIs

    From Ukrainian brigades

    3+

    Defence ecosystem connections

    Unmanned aerial systems

    TRL 5 → TRL 7

    Batch 1.0

    WingTech entered the programme with a proven UAV product but needed access to military users, procurement and financing. During the programme, the team secured its first government contract, $370K in bridge financing, and partnerships to support contract execution and production scaling.

    $370K

    Bridge financing

    1st

    Government contract

    3+

    Army Corps reached

    Remote driving for armoured vehicles

    4×4 platforms & UGVs

    Mature technology

    Telearmy entered the programme with mature remote-driving technology and a clear goal: validate it in Ukraine, work directly with military users and establish a path to procurement. During the programme, the team validated its technology with Ukrainian defence stakeholders and secured partnerships and contracts across Ukraine, Europe and the US.

    80+

    Military leaders reached

    3+

    International partnerships

    Germany + US

    Manufacturer contracts

    BlueDragon Mission Solution

    Layered offshore counter-UAS defence

    Early-stage

    BlueShadow joined the programme with an ambitious concept for an offshore, layered defence system designed to detect, track and intercept enemy strike drones before they reach the Ukrainian shore. During the programme, the team established direct connections with Ukrainian military stakeholders, signed 10 MOUs with producers for system integration, secured cooperation with the National Guard of Ukraine and received international grant funding to advance BlueDragon.

    10

    Producer MOUs

    1

    National Guard of Ukraine MOU

    1

    Danish Maritime Fund grant

  • Unmanned aerial systems

    TRL 5 → TRL 7

    Batch 1.0

    Fremen joined at an early proof-of-concept stage with strong engineering expertise but needed support with R&D, testing, integrations and business development. During the programme, the team advanced from TRL 2 to TRL 6 and built connections with military users, defence manufacturers and research institutions.

    TRL 2 → 6

    Technology maturity

    LOIs

    From Ukrainian brigades

    3+

    Defence ecosystem connections

    Unmanned aerial systems

    TRL 5 → TRL 7

    Batch 1.0

    WingTech entered the programme with a proven UAV product but needed access to military users, procurement and financing. During the programme, the team secured its first government contract, $370K in bridge financing, and partnerships to support contract execution and production scaling.

    $370K

    Bridge financing

    1st

    Government contract

    3+

    Army Corps reached

    Remote driving for armoured vehicles

    4×4 platforms & UGVs

    Mature technology

    Telearmy entered the programme with mature remote-driving technology and a clear goal: validate it in Ukraine, work directly with military users and establish a path to procurement. During the programme, the team validated its technology with Ukrainian defence stakeholders and secured partnerships and contracts across Ukraine, Europe and the US.

    80+

    Military leaders reached

    3+

    International partnerships

    Germany + US

    Manufacturer contracts

    BlueDragon Mission Solution

    Layered offshore counter-UAS defence

    Early-stage

    BlueShadow joined the programme with an ambitious concept for an offshore, layered defence system designed to detect, track and intercept enemy strike drones before they reach the Ukrainian shore. During the programme, the team established direct connections with Ukrainian military stakeholders, signed 10 MOUs with producers for system integration, secured cooperation with the National Guard of Ukraine and received international grant funding to advance BlueDragon.

    10

    Producer MOUs

    1

    National Guard of Ukraine MOU

    1

    Danish Maritime Fund grant

Unmanned aerial systems

TRL 5 → TRL 7

Batch 1.0

Fremen joined at an early proof-of-concept stage with strong engineering expertise but needed support with R&D, testing, integrations and business development. During the programme, the team advanced from TRL 2 to TRL 6 and built connections with military users, defence manufacturers and research institutions.

TRL 2 → 6

Technology maturity

LOIs

From Ukrainian brigades

3+

Defence ecosystem connections

Unmanned aerial systems

TRL 5 → TRL 7

Batch 1.0

WingTech entered the programme with a proven UAV product but needed access to military users, procurement and financing. During the programme, the team secured its first government contract, $370K in bridge financing, and partnerships to support contract execution and production scaling.

$370K

Bridge financing

1st

Government contract

3+

Army Corps reached

Remote driving for armoured vehicles

4×4 platforms & UGVs

Mature technology

Telearmy entered the programme with mature remote-driving technology and a clear goal: validate it in Ukraine, work directly with military users and establish a path to procurement. During the programme, the team validated its technology with Ukrainian defence stakeholders and secured partnerships and contracts across Ukraine, Europe and the US.

80+

Military leaders reached

3+

International partnerships

Germany + US

Manufacturer contracts

BlueDragon Mission Solution

Layered offshore counter-UAS defence

Early-stage

BlueShadow joined the programme with an ambitious concept for an offshore, layered defence system designed to detect, track and intercept enemy strike drones before they reach the Ukrainian shore. During the programme, the team established direct connections with Ukrainian military stakeholders, signed 10 MOUs with producers for system integration, secured cooperation with the National Guard of Ukraine and received international grant funding to advance BlueDragon.

10

Producer MOUs

1

National Guard of Ukraine MOU

1

Danish Maritime Fund grant

  • Tuuli Tolmats-Aia

    Telearmy

    Batch 3.0

    “Defence Builder helped Telearmy move from technology validation to real defence-market traction. Through the programme, we gained direct access to military users in Ukraine, validated our remote-driving technology in operational conditions, and opened partnerships and contracts with defence and vehicle companies across Europe and the U.S.”

    Yuriy Humenchuk

    Trident

    Batch 3.0

    “The Defence Builder Accelerator was a great experience for Trident. We especially valued the deep expertise of the military advisors and mentors, alongside a strong lineup of events. The operational team was also great, ensuring everything ran smoothly behind the scenes.”

    Charles Maher

    BlueShadow ApS

    Batch 3.0

    “DВ team is exceptional and fully committed to the mission. Their engagement and coaching were outstanding. They were highly proactive in connecting us with military units, investors, customers, and defence-tech partners. The program was by far the best we have seen - the speakers were true experts in company formation, fundraising, IP protection, export controls, quality systems, NATO certification. As an alumni company, we continue to receive high-level introductions to global customers and benefit from deep engagement across the Ecosystem. ”

    Roman Karpenko

    BaBayte OÜ

    Batch 1.0

    “We came to Defence Builder with a technology and left with a company - building a product around a real customer rather than our own assumptions. To this day, many of our decisions are still shaped by what we learned during the programme. If you’re looking for strong, hands-on, and expert support, this is the place to be.”

    Viktor Hryhorenko

    WingTech

    Batch 3.0

    “Participating in the programme helped us become more visible in the defence sector, build relationships with military unit commanders, and find partners to support our growth. In particular, we established a partnership with one of the leading UAV manufacturers, which became an important step in WingTech’s further development.”

    Roman

    Fremen

    Batch 3

    “Thanks to the Defence Builder Accelerator, Fremen went from an idea to a fully-fledged company. With the support of outstanding mentors and the Defence Builder team, we secured our first grant, while new connections grew into partnerships with manufacturers, investors, and end users. We’re sincerely grateful to Defence Builder and wholeheartedly wish success to future batches and the entire Defence Builder ecosystem.”

  • Tuuli Tolmats-Aia

    Telearmy

    Batch 3.0

    “Defence Builder helped Telearmy move from technology validation to real defence-market traction. Through the programme, we gained direct access to military users in Ukraine, validated our remote-driving technology in operational conditions, and opened partnerships and contracts with defence and vehicle companies across Europe and the U.S.”

    Yuriy Humenchuk

    Trident

    Batch 3.0

    “The Defence Builder Accelerator was a great experience for Trident. We especially valued the deep expertise of the military advisors and mentors, alongside a strong lineup of events. The operational team was also great, ensuring everything ran smoothly behind the scenes.”

    Charles Maher

    BlueShadow ApS

    Batch 3.0

    “DВ team is exceptional and fully committed to the mission. Their engagement and coaching were outstanding. They were highly proactive in connecting us with military units, investors, customers, and defence-tech partners. The program was by far the best we have seen - the speakers were true experts in company formation, fundraising, IP protection, export controls, quality systems, NATO certification. As an alumni company, we continue to receive high-level introductions to global customers and benefit from deep engagement across the Ecosystem. ”

    Roman Karpenko

    BaBayte OÜ

    Batch 1.0

    “We came to Defence Builder with a technology and left with a company - building a product around a real customer rather than our own assumptions. To this day, many of our decisions are still shaped by what we learned during the programme. If you’re looking for strong, hands-on, and expert support, this is the place to be.”

    Viktor Hryhorenko

    WingTech

    Batch 3.0

    “Participating in the programme helped us become more visible in the defence sector, build relationships with military unit commanders, and find partners to support our growth. In particular, we established a partnership with one of the leading UAV manufacturers, which became an important step in WingTech’s further development.”

    Roman

    Fremen

    Batch 3

    “Thanks to the Defence Builder Accelerator, Fremen went from an idea to a fully-fledged company. With the support of outstanding mentors and the Defence Builder team, we secured our first grant, while new connections grew into partnerships with manufacturers, investors, and end users. We’re sincerely grateful to Defence Builder and wholeheartedly wish success to future batches and the entire Defence Builder ecosystem.”

How we choose the 10

How we choose the 10

Please do not submit classified information, sensitive operational details or information that could compromise military personnel, units or capabilities.

What we evaluate

Challenge relevance

One of the seven priorities above, or another defence need you can substantiate.

One of the seven priorities above, or another defence need you can substantiate.

Technology readiness

Working demonstrator at TRL 4+, backed by evidence.

Working demonstrator at TRL 4+, backed by evidence.

Product advantage

A real technical, operational, production or economic edge.

A real technical, operational, production or economic edge.

Team capability

You own the tech, you can make decisions, and you're committed.

You own the tech, you can make decisions, and you're committed.

Validation and integration potential

A credible path to testing and procurement.

A credible path to testing and procurement.

Acceleration potential

Milestones you can actually hit in four months.

Milestones you can actually hit in four months.

How it works

01

Application

Form + non-classified deck. 


~20 minutes if you know your company.

Form + non-classified deck. 


~20 minutes if you know your company.

02

Eligibility & relevance review

TRL, commitment, fit, completeness.

TRL, commitment, fit, completeness.

03

Technical & business review

Experts evaluate solution, evidence, roadmap.

Experts evaluate solution, evidence, roadmap.

03

Technical & business review

Experts evaluate solution, evidence, roadmap.

04

Interview or pitch

Shortlisted teams: product, priorities, milestones.

Shortlisted teams: product, priorities, milestones.

05

Due diligence

Legal, ownership, IP, compliance, infosec.

Legal, ownership, IP, compliance, infosec.

06

Final selection

Ten companies join Batch 4.

Ten companies join Batch 4.

04

Interview or pitch

Shortlisted teams: product, priorities, milestones.

05

Due diligence

Legal, ownership, IP, compliance, infosec.

06

Final selection

Ten companies join Batch 4.

Sounds like you?

Sounds like you?

FAQ

FAQ

Yes. Complete systems, software, modules, components and subsystems are eligible if they meet the programme’s readiness and relevance requirements.

Can teams apply with software, modules or components rather than a complete system?

How much time should a team commit?

Is the grant guaranteed?

Are integrations, procurement contracts or investment guaranteed?

How is application information handled?

Join

Join

Part of

DB Ecosystem

Active since

2024

Current

Batch 3.0 — ongoing

Applications open

22 September 2026

Deadline

30 October 2026

Start

November 2026