Poland-based Orbotix has secured €6.5 million in fresh funding to advance its AI-driven autonomous drone systems and expand operations across the European Union. The investment round, led by BVVC Fund, with participation from Gustav Söhne Verwaltung GmbH & Co. KG and Leryon Global Holdings, underscores a growing commitment to European defence innovation and sovereignty.
Orbotix, founded in 2023 by Bogdan Ochiana and Sebastian Straube, is at the forefront of developing modular, interoperable autonomous drone systems designed to enhance European defence autonomy. The company’s technology spans air, sea, land, and space domains, with a focus on operator safety, efficiency, and mission success.
Joe Musselman, Founder & Managing Partner of Bravo Victor Venture Capital, emphasised the strategic importance of Orbotix’s work: “Swarm autonomy will decide outcomes on tomorrow’s battlefields. Orbotix is building it now, in Europe, at scale, and under allied control. Their distributed production model and operator-first design deliver the sovereign capacity NATO needs to prevail in a contested world.”
This investment aligns with a broader trend in European defence innovation, where agile startups are increasingly shaping the continent’s defence capabilities. Orbotix’s venture-backed model allows it to rapidly scale and adapt to evolving security challenges, positioning it as a key player in Europe’s defence technology landscape.
Jan Dirk Elstermann, chairman of the Gustav Söhne Group, highlighted the company’s potential to revolutionise modern defence: “Orbotix’s capacity to combine cutting-edge AI technology with unparalleled innovation in autonomous drone systems has convinced us to invest. Family-owned Gustav Söhne, established in 1884, is adding to its successful portfolio in the maritime defence field a new promising participation, as we see it necessary to defend our values of freedom, freedom of expression, and tolerance.”
The funding will accelerate the development of AI technologies, including drone swarming solutions, and expand Orbotix’s micromanufacturing facilities across the EU. This expansion is critical to strengthening Europe’s technological and operational independence in defence.
Bogdan Ochiana, co-founder and CEO of Orbotix, framed the investment as a call to action: “This investment is more than just capital—it’s a signal that the EU is ready to elevate defence to its full potential. Our generation will be measured by how we rise to the challenge now, not tomorrow, and we are proud to be among the innovators safeguarding the peace and prosperity our forefathers fought to achieve.”
Sebastian Straube, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, underscored the strategic importance of Orbotix’s work: “This marks not only a milestone for Orbotix, but also underscores the strategic importance of building such capabilities within Europe, with the emergence of a company like ours on the Eastern Flank ensuring that the region most exposed to modern threats leads in developing the technologies that will safeguard Europe’s future.”
Orbotix’s approach is deeply human-centric, emphasising ethical standards and regulatory compliance, such as the EU AI Act. The company collaborates with an international team and partners to refine its systems through feedback and innovation.
As Europe confronts evolving security threats, Orbotix’s work represents a critical step toward technological sovereignty and operational resilience. By fostering innovation in autonomous drone systems, the company is not only advancing defence capabilities but also reinforcing the continent’s strategic autonomy in an increasingly contested world.