DOD Solution, an Estonian-Ukrainian defence-technology startup, has closed a €1.8 million pre-seed funding round to advance its AURA AI autonomy platform designed for unmanned systems across multiple applications and environments.
The Tallinn-based company, founded in 2023, attracted backing from a diverse investor base spanning European venture funds and strategic partners. The round was supported by Angel One Fund, Better Angle, Defence Builder Fund, Network VC, Newfund, UAID Fund, WildField Ventures, and 4C-Next Holding AG. Canadian drone manufacturer Draganfly participated as a strategic investor, bringing operational expertise alongside capital.
Scaling AI Autonomy for Unmanned Systems
DOD Solution plans to deploy the funding across several key initiatives. The company will ramp up production of its next-generation AURA single-board computer at scale while simultaneously advancing the AURA operating system and integrating additional AI capabilities. The startup will also accelerate partnerships with unmanned platform manufacturers to embed its technology into their systems.
Market expansion represents another priority, with the company targeting growth across European and North American markets. This geographic focus reflects the growing demand for autonomous systems solutions in defence and civilian applications across these regions.
According to Roman Hapachylo, the company’s perspective on the market opportunity underscores why this flexibility matters. “Autonomy needs to work across different unmanned systems and operational environments, rather than remain a capability tied to a single platform,” he stated. “Our focus now is to make AURA AI easier to integrate, faster to scale and capable of supporting increasingly demanding onboard applications. This round gives us the resources and the right partners to accelerate that transition.”
Positioning Within European Defence-Tech
The funding success reflects broader momentum in European defence technology, particularly in AI-driven autonomy solutions. Eastern European startups have increasingly attracted attention from both traditional venture capital and specialized defence-focused funds, particularly following geopolitical developments that have elevated security concerns across the continent.
DOD Solution’s mixed investor base—combining European venture firms with established North American players like Draganfly—suggests confidence in the platform’s potential to address an emerging market gap. The involvement of specialized funds like Defence Builder Fund and UAID Fund indicates recognition of the company’s focus on addressing real-world defence and security challenges.
The startup’s emphasis on platform-agnostic autonomy addresses a significant challenge in the unmanned systems sector, where fragmentation has historically limited interoperability and scalability. By positioning AURA as a software layer that can work across different hardware platforms, DOD Solution is targeting a potentially substantial market opportunity.
As European governments and NATO allies continue investing in autonomous systems capabilities, startups offering cross-platform solutions face favourable conditions for growth. DOD Solution’s early traction suggests that investors see particular promise in approaches that combine technical sophistication with practical integration pathways for manufacturers already operating in the sector.