Darkstar Coalition Announces New Bootcamp for Ukrainian Defense Tech Startups

The Darkstar Coalition, a defense-tech startup support project, has announced a new week-long bootcamp for Ukrainian developers that will take place this spring in Kyiv.

According to a Darkstar press release, the project offers €1.5 million in potential funding per bootcamp, a thorough pre-selection of startups, and facilitation of their direct interaction with military, banking, and government partners.

As a result, companies will receive feedback on their developments, opportunities for field testing, and practical verification of technologies.

The bootcamp also opens the door to potential partnerships, integrations, and sales – all in real time.

The event is open to startups that develop drones, missiles, communication technologies, autonomous and remote weapons systems, satellite and optical reconnaissance, and more.

Darkstar

Darkstar is a coalition of more than 30 startup founders and investors from Estonia, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Finland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Ukraine who have united for a common goal: the development of the European defense technology ecosystem.

Brave1, Heroes & Allies, representatives of military intelligence and the Unmanned Systems Forces have already joined Darkstar’s partners.

At each bootcamp, 20+ military units actively cooperate with the coalition, providing prompt feedback on the effectiveness of the latest technologies and the results of their combat use.

The mission of the Darkstar Coalition is to unite defense startups on a single platform, creating a market for ready-made technological solutions.

This accelerates the development of new products and reduces their cost.

Darkstar brings together three key components necessary for startups to succeed and scale: the Ukrainian military, defense startups, and Western investors.

The bootcamp program includes practical workshops on various topics, including how to scale a team while keeping them motivated and how to sell to NATO member states.