DefTech directory
Early-Stage DefTech Startups in Europe
DefTech is the wave of companies rebuilding how European nations sense, decide and act, with software-defined systems rather than decade-long procurement programs. The field runs from autonomous platforms and command software to sensing and the hardware underneath it. Much of it is dual-use, with the same autonomy and perception stacks serving civilian markets.
Browse by country
Jump to deftech startups in a specific country.
Why deftech now
Europe is rearming, and a generation of venture-backed teams is moving faster than the primes they sell alongside. Sovereign capability, drone warfare lessons from Ukraine, and rising defense budgets have turned what was an unfundable category into one of the most active on the continent. The teams below are turning that demand into deployable product.
How we choose these companies
A public directory of early-stage European deftech startups. We aim to list every company that fits, not a hand-picked few. Here is exactly what that means, and why:
- European: headquartered in Europe (EU, EEA, UK, Switzerland and nearby). We go by where a company is based, not just where it sells, because this is a map of the European ecosystem.
- Early-stage: founded in the last 5 years. That is where the new ideas and the most active part of the ecosystem are; established household-name scaleups are a different list.
- A real product company: builds a scalable technology product or platform. We leave out agencies, consultancies and local service businesses, which do not follow the same path.
- Independent: a standalone company, not a subsidiary or brand of a larger corporation.
- Active: currently operating, with a live website. We re-check regularly and remove companies that shut down, get acquired, or move out of scope.
We list only public information about what each company does. We deliberately do not track or show fundraising: who is raising, who is investing, or how much. This is a directory of companies, not a deal database.
Missing a company, or see something off? Suggest an addition or report an issue.
68 early-stage deftech startups in Europe
Founded in the last 5 years. A comprehensive list from public sources, not a hand-picked few.
Aquark Technologies
Southampton, United KingdomStandardizes cold atom hardware to enable portable quantum sensors for GPS-free navigation and timing.
Tethys Robotics
Zurich, SwitzerlandDevelops autonomous underwater drones designed for search, rescue, and inspection in demanding and high-current environments.
Broswarm
Vilnius, LithuaniaDevelops AI-powered multisensor drone technology for remote and safe landmine detection.
Aether Aeronautics
Chania, GreeceManufactures high-speed unmanned aerial target drones and UAV systems for aerospace and defense testing.
Nimest Tech
Braga, PortugalDevelops advanced haptic feedback gloves and motion tracking systems for defense and aerospace training simulations.
Deftech
Baku, AzerbaijanDevelops military-grade tactical unmanned aerial systems and defense hardware.
Helsing
Munich, GermanyDevelops AI software and systems for defence and national security applications.
Summa Defence
Helsinki, FinlandDevelops dual-use and defense technologies, specializing in situational awareness, UAVs, and defense systems.
Pandion AI
Stockholm, SwedenDelivers space-based intelligence and rapid-response surveillance data for defense and decision-makers.
Beast Aerotech
Brno, CzechiaDevelops high-performance tactical unmanned aerial systems and defense drones.
Showing 10 of 68 startups
Create a free account to see all 68 startups.
A free investor account unlocks the full directory, the other 58 companies on this list, search across every sector and country, and follows. No card required.
Did we miss one?
Tell us about a European deftech startup that should be on this list. We review every suggestion.
For investors
Source startups like these across Europe.
Floancer gives investors a ranked Radar of startups matched to their focus, from pre-seed to Series X. Set a deftech focus and reach out directly.