{"id":17737,"date":"2026-06-16T10:01:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T07:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/the-new-defence-business-lab-cohort-brings-together-ten-startups\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T14:59:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T11:59:56","slug":"the-new-defence-business-lab-cohort-brings-together-ten-startups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/the-new-defence-business-lab-cohort-brings-together-ten-startups\/","title":{"rendered":"The new Defence Business Lab cohort brings together ten startups"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"17737\" class=\"elementor elementor-17737 elementor-17681\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bd45ff5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6bd45ff5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27ea68e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"27ea68e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On Friday, 29 May, the ten startups selected for the second year of Defence Business Lab were announced. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The initiative is aimed at deep-tech startups in the defence sector. It helps startups whose ideas have been validated and who already have an initial prototype to further develop their solutions and test them in real-life environments. Participants are supported through training, mentoring, and networking opportunities, preparing them also for future rounds of the NATO DIANA accelerator and the European Defence Fund. As part of the programme, five companies will develop their solutions in Tartu and five in Tallinn. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Pirko Konsa<\/strong>, Member of the Management Board of Sparkup Tartu Science Park and a member of the Estonian Defence League, highlighted that the results of the first cohort are already tangible. \u201cAt this year\u2019s Spring Storm, we saw how companies that started in 2025 were able to test their products in real-life conditions. This shows that even early-stage companies, with the right product, a clear understanding of the need, and strong development work, can bring their solution to a test-ready level within a year. Looking at this year\u2019s candidates and participating companies, it is encouraging to see that among the ten selected companies there are several players with very high growth potential.\u201d <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIn defence technology, a good idea alone is not enough \u2014 it is necessary to understand the real user need, move quickly from prototype to experimentation, and at the same time build a team and business model capable of scaling internationally. The Pre-Accelerator creates the necessary bridge for early-stage companies: it brings teams together with defence-sector experts and potential end users and prepares them for the next major development steps,\u201d explained <strong>Vootele P\u00e4i<\/strong>, Head of Defence and Dual-Use Technologies at Tehnopol. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The following startups were selected for the pre-accelerator:<\/span><\/p><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>MindChip<\/strong> is developing an AI-based autonomous ship captain to make maritime navigation and vessel control smarter and more independent. <\/span><\/li><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Skypiercer\u2019s<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">mission is to make affordable \u201clast-layer\u201d counter-drone close protection, or C-UAS, widely accessible, helping to save lives and protect high-value assets.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sonic Dynamics<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">is developing fast unmanned aerial vehicles.<\/span><\/li><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Towerhouse O\u00dc<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">is developing innovative simulation and training solutions for aviation and the defence sector.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cata Strato<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">is developing modular solutions for neutralising hostile drones.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Arx<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">is developing a drone platform designed to counter Shahed-type drones. The platform is fast, capable of operating at high altitude, easy to control, and equipped with automatic target-locking functionality.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Kappazeta<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">provides practical remote sensing solutions based on AI-driven data analysis.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Anti-troll<\/span><\/b> supports StratCom units in countering disinformation campaigns with agents based on large language models.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Stickelback Robotics<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">is developing a semi-submersible maritime drone platform that enables long-duration intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition activities, acoustic object detection, and support for other unmanned systems, including in complex environments affected by electronic interference.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Passer Systems<\/span><\/b> <span data-contrast=\"none\">is developing a navigation module for unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, that uses machine learning and motion sensors to ensure precise positioning without GPS.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Enelin Tiiman<\/strong>, Head of Defence Industry Policy at the Ministry of Defence, said that growing interest in the defence sector is an encouraging sign. \u201cWe are pleased to see that more and more new technology companies see an opportunity to contribute to the defence sector. The large number of applicants shows that Estonia has strong innovation potential. The aim of the Pre-Accelerator is to provide companies with the knowledge, tools, and direct end-user feedback needed to develop solutions that address modern security challenges. We wish all ten companies selected for the programme success and hope that the programme will help them reach results as quickly as possible that meet the real needs of the Defence Forces and find their way into real-life use.\u201d <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Participants receive \u20ac5,000 in grant funding, a comprehensive training programme led by experienced experts, and the opportunity to work with a broad mentor network. The programme will culminate in a Demo Day, where the development and potential of the projects for international expansion will be evaluated. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The program is implemented by Sparkup Tartu Science Park and Tehnopol<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and funded by the Ministry of Defence<\/span>.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Further information:<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sigrid M\u00f6lder, Project Manager of Defence Business Lab at Sparkup Tartu Science Park, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"><a href=\"mailto:sigrid.molder@teaduspark.ee\">sigrid.molder@teaduspark.ee<\/a><\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kati Kirsipuu,<\/span> Project Manager of <span data-contrast=\"none\">Defence Business Lab<\/span> at <span data-contrast=\"none\">Tehnopol<\/span>, <span data-contrast=\"none\"><a href=\"mailto:kati.kirsipuu@tehnopol.ee\">kati.kirsipuu@tehnopol.ee<\/a><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Friday, 29 May, the ten startups selected for the second year of Defence Business Lab were announced. The initiative is aimed at deep-tech startups in the defence sector. It helps startups whose ideas have been validated and who already have an initial prototype to further develop their solutions and test them in real-life environments. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13669,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[231,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kaitsetoostus","category-uudised"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17737"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17742,"href":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17737\/revisions\/17742"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teaduspark.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}