PERUN, a Polish defence-technology startup, has received fourteen new funding agreements from the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) under the country’s “New Technologies” programme. The grants will support the company’s efforts to develop advanced solutions in the security and defence sectors.
The funding allocation represents a significant vote of confidence in PERUN’s technological capabilities and strategic importance to Poland’s defence innovation ecosystem. The state-backed grants come as European nations increasingly prioritize domestic capabilities in security and defence technologies, particularly in response to evolving geopolitical challenges across the continent.
Government Support for Defence Innovation
The National Centre for Research and Development has positioned the New Technologies programme as a cornerstone initiative for strengthening Poland’s technological sovereignty. By backing PERUN’s multiple projects simultaneously, the NCBR demonstrates commitment to fostering homegrown expertise in critical defence sectors where European nations have traditionally relied on external partnerships.
The multi-project approach, rather than a single large grant, allows PERUN to pursue diverse research and development pathways in parallel. This strategy reduces risk while maximizing innovation potential across different technological domains within the security and defence space.
Expanding the Polish Defence-Tech Ecosystem
PERUN joins a growing number of European startups attracting government attention for their work in security and defence applications. The Polish startup landscape has increasingly focused on solving real-world security challenges, positioning the country as an emerging hub for defence innovation within the EU.
The company’s success in securing multiple NCBR grants reflects broader trends in European technology policy, where state institutions have become more active in nurturing startups working on strategic technologies. This shift represents recognition that private capital alone cannot address the full spectrum of innovation needs in defence and security sectors.
Broader European Context
Across Europe, governments are reassessing their approaches to defence technology development. The Ukrainian conflict has accelerated discussions about technological resilience and the importance of maintaining innovation capacity within national and European frameworks. Poland, positioned at the intersection of NATO and EU interests, has become particularly active in supporting defence-tech initiatives.
The funding landscape for European defence startups is evolving rapidly, with state-backed programmes now complementing traditional venture capital. Organizations like the European Defence Fund and various national innovation agencies are increasing support for startups developing capabilities in cybersecurity, autonomous systems, surveillance technologies, and other strategic areas.
PERUN’s fourteen new grants underscore how European countries are leveraging state funding mechanisms to build competitive advantages in defence technology. The multi-project structure suggests the startup is pursuing several complementary research directions, potentially spanning multiple technological domains within security and defence sectors.
As European nations continue strengthening their strategic technology capabilities, cases like PERUN demonstrate how government funding programmes are becoming instrumental in translating startup innovation into operational capabilities that serve national and European security interests.