After completing the Defence Business Lab accelerator, we’ve been following up with teams to see how their journeys have continued. This time, we spoke with Milmech Systems OÜ – a company developing unmanned ground platforms capable of safely neutralizing various types of mines.
What are your team’s main challenges after completing the accelerator?
Our main focus is on achieving full reliability so that we can demonstrate the device to potential clients. The biggest challenge has been securing project funding and covering the required co-financing for grants.
How has your vision or business model evolved or been refined after the accelerator?
We have adjusted our business model to make the product more competitively priced for the Ukrainian market. We are also exploring alternative solutions to further reduce production costs.
What specific results have you achieved since completing the accelerator?
We achieved tangible results on a test minefield — our device successfully neutralised several types of mines. This was a significant milestone for the entire development process.
What kind of support or resources do you currently need the most?
Financial support is crucial at this stage to accelerate development and conduct additional testing. While progress remains steady, the lack of funding is noticeably slowing us down.
Has your team collaboration changed since the accelerator?
Our teamwork has remained stable — we have a strong division of roles and a shared goal of completing the development. Collaboration continues to work well, and it has been one of our strengths from the very beginning.
Where do you see yourselves in five years?
In five years, we see Milmech Systems OÜ as an internationally operating company that markets its products across multiple markets. We aim to have stable revenue, competitive salaries, and an expanded product portfolio in the field of unmanned ground platforms.
What would you say to future participants of the Defence Business Lab accelerator?
The DBL accelerator offers an excellent opportunity to understand the defence industry ecosystem, grasp its unique characteristics, and find your own niche within it. We highly recommend making the most of the chance to learn, test ideas, and build connections — these experiences have been invaluable in helping us refine our vision and move forward.
The defence technology pre-accelerator is run by Tehnopol Startup Incubator and Sparkup Tartu Science Park. The programme is funded by the Ministry of Defence and supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. The final stage, the demo day, will take place in September and focuses on the teams’ readiness to take their next steps on international markets.
