DSE Defence Tech Fund invests in battle-proven defence, security, and dual-use technologies validated on Ukraine's frontlines — the most significant laboratory for modern warfare since WWII. Partnering with Brave1, NATO allies, and European defence ecosystems to deploy the technologies reshaping 21st-century security.
Setcoin Atlas · live pipeline
Companies and programmes on the public record in the sectors DSE Defence Tech Fund invests in, each placed on the sector’s own gate ladder: from R&D award to contract, raise and production.
By stage (sector gate ladder)
Highlighted rows are in play. Bars on a square-root scale.
By region
Source: Setcoin sector registers — R&D awards, contracts, clearances, raises and facility records. Figures update with each Atlas build. Named projects, sponsors and evidence are available to registered investors in the LP workspace.
Two Ways to Engage
Connect your combat-validated systems with institutional capital, NATO procurement channels, and European manufacturing infrastructure for mass production.
Access frontline-validated technologies generating returns from the largest European defence spending surge since the Cold War — €800B projected by 2030.
Market Context
NATO's 2025 Hague Summit set a binding 3.5% GDP target for core defence by 2035, with 5% total including security infrastructure. European defence spending has doubled since 2019, with venture funding surging from €200M to €2.6B between 2021–2025.
Investment Strategy
Every investment domain in the DSE Defence Tech Fund is anchored in technologies deployed and validated in Ukraine's modern warfare environment — the world's most intensive testing ground for next-generation defence systems.
FPV kamikaze drones, long-range strike platforms (1,000km+), maritime unmanned surface vessels, and drone swarm coordination systems. Ukraine produces 4M+ drones annually — more than all NATO combined.
AI-powered spectrum management, quantum-resistant encryption, counter-jamming technology, mesh network communications, and electromagnetic disruption systems. The EW arms race is the defining challenge of modern combat.
Autonomous ground robots for logistics, combat and reconnaissance. AI-enhanced targeting with sensor-to-shooter in under 5 minutes. Battlefield decision-making systems processing 10x faster than human analysts.
Extended-range guided munitions (40-70km), next-gen MLRS systems, AI-augmented targeting, and HIMARS-class evolution. Combat-proven: 400+ high-value targets destroyed by precision systems 2022-2025.
Short-range C-UAS for every manoeuvre battalion, medium-range NASAMS/IRIS-T evolution, laser-based counter-drone systems, and hypersonic missile interception capabilities. Critical gap: NATO armies grossly under-equipped.
Satellite defence and space-based ISR, hypersonic technologies, tactical rapid constellation (100+ small satellites), and orbital security systems. Integrated with resilient communications infrastructure.
Direct partnership with Brave1 — the world's largest combat innovation accelerator with 1,500+ defence companies. Over 540 grants, UAH 3B in 2025 budget. Defence Tech Valley 2025 drew 5,000 attendees from 50+ countries.
Laser and high-powered microwave systems for cost-effective air defence. Integrated C-UAS with acoustic, RF, radar, and AI visual detection layered with soft-kill and hard-kill engagement capabilities.
Quantum-secure battlefield communications, hardened underground manufacturing, 3D-printed battlefield spare parts, distributed production for survivability, and mobile repair systems for rapid reconstitution.
Geographic Focus:
Strategic Ukrainian Advantage
The NATO exercise where 10 Ukrainian troops neutralized 2 NATO battalions (1,600+ soldiers) using coordinated drone swarms demonstrates the revolutionary nature of current battlefield realities. Cost asymmetry: ~$300K in drones vs $100M+ in conventional forces.
Battlefield Reality
Traditional force structures are obsolete. Mass over precision, speed over protection, autonomy over human control, and spectrum dominance over kinetic supremacy now define combat effectiveness.
Investment Opportunity
First-mover advantage in autonomous warfare systems, AI-powered targeting, and EW-resistant platforms — the capabilities every NATO army must urgently acquire.
Ukraine's Edge
90-day combat deployment replaces 5-7 year traditional testing cycles. Technologies iterate weekly under live-fire conditions with direct military feedback loops — the ultimate product-market fit accelerator.
Fund Advantage
30-day due diligence vs 6-12 months for traditional defence VC. Combat validation is the gold standard for NATO procurement — Brave1 certification becomes the entry ticket.
Industrial Architecture
Ukraine: drone production, ammunition, electronics. Poland/Baltics: assembly, testing, logistics. Germany/France: advanced integration. Nordics: autonomy, AI. Distributed for survivability and sovereignty.
Dual Revenue Streams
EU ReArm Europe Plan + EDF co-investment leverage 3-5x. NATO procurement pipeline across 32 member states. Export markets in 50+ allied nations.
Ukraine's 3+ years of high-intensity peer conflict has produced an irreplaceable knowledge base that forms the foundation of the DSE Defence Tech Fund's competitive edge.
Infrastructure Investment Priorities
Structured deployment across three horizons — from urgent capability gaps to transformational technologies — aligned with European defence roadmap 2026–2035.
| Infrastructure | Timeline | Market Impact |
|---|---|---|
Ukrainian FPV Drone Production Wild Hornets, Terminal Autonomy partners | 12–18 months | 50,000–100,000 drones/month capacity. European + NATO procurement pipeline: 500,000+ units annually. Scalable to mass production |
Long-Range Strike Drone Consortia Sea Baby evolution + European aerospace | 18–24 months | 1,000–2,000km range systems. Swarm coordination capability. Strategic strike validated at Moscow refinery range. NATO + allied nations market |
Counter-Drone Integrated Systems Bukovel-AD, European EW specialists | 6–12 months | 10,000+ C-UAS systems for EU forces. Multi-layered: acoustic, RF, radar, AI detection + kinetic/directed energy kill. Urgent procurement — every unit needs C-UAS |
AI Targeting & C2 Systems Delta system + European AI labs | 12–18 months | Sensor-to-shooter in <5 min. 99%+ vehicle target recognition. Deployed at $50K per battalion — massive addressable market. NATO standardization candidate |
| Infrastructure | Timeline | Market Impact |
|---|---|---|
Precision Ammunition Manufacturing Ukrainian munitions + EU defence contractors | 18–24 months | 500,000+ guided rounds annually. 155mm extended range (40-70km). European stockpiling to 30-day high-intensity war standard. Critical stockpile replenishment |
Advanced MLRS Systems Next-gen precision rocket systems | 24–36 months | 12+ missile magazine depth. Faster reload (<5 min). AI target prioritization. Ukrainian HIMARS-class development (Brave1 priority). NATO procurement pipeline |
Autonomous Ground Robotics Combat-proven UGVs + European robotics | 18–30 months | Logistics, reconnaissance, combat UGVs. Casualty evacuation automation. Battlefield-validated systems (Liut, Hyena robots). Force multiplier — reduces personnel 40% |
Electronic Warfare Suite Ukrainian EW specialists + EU defence electronics | 12–24 months | AI-powered spectrum management. Quantum-resistant encryption. Fiber-optic drone control. Every combat platform requires EW. Universal requirement — all armed forces |
Short-Range Air Defence (SHORAD) Mobile anti-drone & anti-missile systems | 12–18 months | 500-1,000 mobile SHORAD systems. Organic C-UAS for every manoeuvre battalion. Critical gap: NATO has 2 regiments (UK) — grossly insufficient. Highest urgency NATO gap |
| Infrastructure | Timeline | Market Impact |
|---|---|---|
Swarm AI Coordination Ukrainian battlefield AI + European AI labs | 24–48 months | 100+ drone swarms with autonomous coordination. Distributed decision-making. Adaptive tactics with no central control point. Revolutionary capability |
Hypersonic Defence Systems EDF programs + Ukrainian testing grounds | 48–72 months | Endo-atmospheric interception. Counter-Kinzhal and Zircon capability. AI-powered threat prediction with distributed sensors. NATO priority procurement |
Space-Based ISR Constellation ICEYE, Reflex Aerospace, Ukrainian ground systems | 24–36 months | 100+ small satellites for tactical ISR. Persistent surveillance coverage. Defence + commercial dual-use revenue. Dual-use commercial upside |
Directed Energy Weapons Laser/HPM counter-drone and missile defence | 36–60 months | Near-zero cost-per-engagement air defence. Laser C-UAS systems validated. Transforms economics of air defence entirely. Cost revolution — $500/engagement vs $100K+ missile |
Quantum-Resistant Communications European quantum labs + battlefield validation | 36–60 months | Future-proof secure battlefield networks. Government, defence, and critical infrastructure markets. IRIS² integration. Dual-use: defence + sovereign comms |
Autonomous Naval Systems Sea Baby evolution + European naval tech | 36–60 months | Unmanned surface/subsurface combat vessels. Proven: Ukrainian USVs forced Russian Black Sea Fleet retreat. Asymmetric naval transformation. Proven concept — naval paradigm shift |
TIER 1 — CRITICAL
4 priority targets
TIER 2 — HIGH PRIORITY
5 priority targets
TIER 3 — MEDIUM PRIORITY
6 priority targets
What We're Looking For
Products must be deployed and tested on Ukraine's frontlines or carry Brave1 certification. Combat validation replaces theoretical testing — 90-day deployment standard.
Technologies must achieve 10,000+ units/year minimum production capacity. Rapid manufacturing readiness for industrial-scale deployment across NATO forces.
Preference for companies with active contracts in Ukraine, NATO countries, and allied defence organizations. EDF co-investment leverage 3-5x targeted.
All systems must meet NATO compatibility standards for cross-alliance deployment. Standardization pathway required for procurement pipeline access across 32 member states.
Priority for startups vetted and endorsed by Ukraine's Brave1 initiative and Palantir Brave1 Dataroom — the world's premier combat innovation accelerator with 1,500+ companies.
Combat-proven technologies skip 5-7 year traditional testing cycles. 30-day due diligence enabled by battlefield data. Urgent procurement demand ensures rapid revenue generation.
Geographic Focus:
Value Creation Strategy
Live battlefield testing in Ukraine establishes unmatched credibility and performance data
Connecting proven tech with 32 NATO militaries, defence contractors, and alliances
European production facilities for high-demand defence solutions at industrial scale
Enhancing autonomous targeting, real-time analytics, and predictive strike capabilities
Distributed production, multi-region sourcing, uninterrupted battlefield supply
Risk Management
Full ITAR adherence, NATO procurement standards, EU defence export regulations. EU-manufactured systems for ITAR-free sovereignty.
Only battlefield-proven, combat-effective systems. No theoretical or unproven technologies. Continuous battlefield feedback loop for iteration.
Quantum-resistant encryption roadmap. Defence tech and communications protected from advanced cyber threats and data breaches.
Localized European manufacturing. Multi-region sourcing reduces vulnerable suppliers. Conflict resolution scenario: export markets in 50+ NATO+ countries.
Responsible AI use and autonomous weapon oversight. Full compliance with international defence ethics and laws of armed conflict.
Modular designs for rapid upgrades. Software-defined capabilities with OTA updates. Ukrainian combat laboratory for continuous iteration.
Related Intelligence
Multi-layered C-UAS technology analysis, NATO gap assessment, and €10B+ investment priority mapping across detection, soft-kill, and hard-kill systems.
Read Study
Deep dive into Ukraine's 1,500+ defence tech companies, $100M+ investment pipeline, and NATO integration pathway for battlefield-proven technologies.
Read Thesis
Comprehensive analysis integrating Ukrainian combat experience with European defence investment priorities across all technology domains.
Read Analysis
NATO 3.5% GDP target analysis, ReArm Europe Plan impact, and country-by-country defence budget trajectory through 2035.
Read Projections
155mm guided munitions supply analysis, hardened manufacturing requirements, and €2-3B production infrastructure investment case.
Read Analysis
Technical assessment of 100+ drone coordination systems, distributed AI decision-making, and mesh networking for EW-contested environments.
Read StudyFrequently Asked Questions
A Luxembourg-domiciled equity fund managed by Setcoin Group that invests in battle-proven defence, security and dual-use technologies validated on Ukraine's frontlines — autonomous drones, electronic warfare, counter-drone systems, AI targeting, precision munitions, air defence and space-based ISR — in partnership with Brave1, NATO allies and European defence ecosystems.
90-day combat deployment in Ukraine replaces 5-7 year traditional testing cycles, which lets the fund run 30-day due diligence instead of 6-12 months. Brave1 certification or frontline deployment is a requirement for every venture, and combat validation is the gold standard for NATO procurement.
Ukrainian FPV drone production (€0.5–1B), long-range strike drone consortia (€1–2B), counter-drone integrated systems (€1.5–2B) and AI targeting and C2 systems (€0.5–0.8B) — €3.5-5.8B of market need over 6-24 month windows.
Companies with Brave1 certification or battlefield-deployed systems, 10,000+ units/year production readiness, active contracts with Ukraine, NATO or allied defence organisations, and NATO interoperability.
EU defence spending reached €381B in 2025 and is projected at €800B by 2030 under NATO's binding 3.5% GDP core-defence target for 2035; European defence venture funding grew from €200M to €2.6B between 2021 and 2025.
Qualified institutional investors only. Geographic focus: Ukraine (Brave1 hub), Poland and the Baltics, Germany, France, the Nordics, the United Kingdom and the United States.
How to Start
Whether you're investing in the largest European defence build-up since the Cold War or submitting a combat-validated technology, we're ready to start the conversation.
