Brave1 selects companies for defence-tech funding

The EU and Ukraine’s Brave1 defence-tech accelerator have selected 12 companies to receive grants to further develop their air defence technologies.  

According to a Brave1 announcement on 8 April, the funding is available under the first stage of the EU for Ukraine (EU4UA) Defence Tech initiative 

Established in September, the initiative aims to strengthen innovation capacity in Ukraine’s defence industrial base and enhance EU-Ukraine security cooperation. The first iteration is focused on air defence capabilities specifically. 

The initiative is funded by the EU and managed by Brave1, alongside Ukraine’s Better Regulation Delivery Office. 

For this first stage, a total of EUR3.3 million in funding is available, with 12 Ukrainian companies securing up to EUR150,000 each.  

A Brave1 spokesperson told DSEI Gateway that the exact funds per solution are currently being finalised, alongside individual “project scopes, timelines, and key milestones to ensure effective implementation.”  

For security reasons, Brave1 is unable to reveal the names of the companies, the spokesperson said. 

However, they said that the solutions being developed include “high-speed interceptors, anti-aircraft drones, advanced radars, as well as systems for monitoring, tracking, and detecting enemy drones.” 

This follows an application process open between December and mid-January for this stage of the programme. This saw companies undergo a capability assessment where they pitched products at technology readiness levels (TRL) five and six. 

When the grants are finalised, the companies will have a six-month period to “refine and test” their solutions, which may support the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the future.  

After this, the companies will present their work to EU4UA partners and demonstrate the progress they have made in developing effective solutions, the spokesperson added. 

 

Brave1’s growing ecosystem 

The EU4UA Defence Tech initiative is one of several Brave1 collaborative, industry-boosting programmes. 

Perhaps foremost among these is the flagship ‘Test in Ukraine’ programme, allowing international companies to trial their products in Ukraine. 

Meanwhile the Brave1 Market allows Ukraine’s commanders to view and procure a catalogue of industry capabilities. Companies can even receive feedback on the effectiveness of their products. 

Also notable among these are the bi/multilateral ‘UNITE Brave NATO’, ‘Brave Tech EU’ and ‘Brave France’ initiatives, which offer joint grant schemes for novel technologies and hackathons.