In Kyiv, the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry (UCDI) has officially launched the UCDI Investor Club, a groundbreaking platform designed to bridge institutional investors with Ukrainian defence technology companies. This initiative marks a significant step in addressing the sector’s undervaluation and fostering its growth amidst ongoing conflict.
“The Ukrainian defence industry has proven results and genuine demand, but from an investment perspective, it remains undervalued,” stated Ihor Fedirko, Executive Director of the UCDI. This statement underscores the core challenge the Investor Club aims to tackle: unlocking the potential of a sector that is critical to national security but often overlooked by investors.
The solution lies in practical, immediate action. “There is a war that needs to be won, and we are working on practical solutions that strengthen Ukrainian defence tech here and now,” emphasised Evelyn Buchatska, head of the UCDI Investor Club and managing partner of the D3 fund. By uniting strong profile investors into a single platform, the UCDI Investor Club seeks to build an ecosystem that supports the growth and development of the defence tech sector.
The UCDI Investor Club has three primary objectives: attracting capital to the defence tech sector, coordinating joint actions among participants, and supporting investment deals. “That is why we have united funds that systematically work with the Ukrainian defence industry and prove its investment attractiveness by their own example,” Fedirko noted. The club currently includes 15 investment funds specialising in defence investments, such as Darkstar VC, UA1, D3 VC, Defence Builder & Defender Ventures, MITS Capital, Resist.UA, Baryon Investment Fund, Double Tap Investments, Miltech Capital, Green Flag Ventures, Freedom Fund, Varangians, Angel One, and Nezlamni.
The platform, operational since October 2025, has already produced its first analytical product, Dealbook. This document provides an overview of investments in defence tech from 2023 to 2025, featuring systematised public and verified data on deals, investors, areas, and stages of financing. According to Dealbook, the volume of investments in the sector has surged nearly 100-fold, from $1.1 million in 2023 to $105.2 million in 2025. Notably, about 30% of these deals remain non-public.
The largest investments are concentrated in unmanned and autonomous systems, including marine platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ground robotic complexes. Average investment amounts have also seen a significant increase. For instance, funding at the idea or prototype stage has risen from $215,000 in 2023 to $718,000 in 2025. For finished products, investment has grown from $1.8 million in 2024 to $2.9 million in 2025.
The UCDI, an independent association of private manufacturers of weapons and military equipment, plays a crucial role in consolidating the industry, strengthening interactions with the state and international partners, and shaping Ukraine’s modern security architecture. The Council of Arms Manufacturers assists defence manufacturers in finding partners, scaling production, and accessing financing and technologies, thereby bolstering the country’s defence capabilities.
This initiative aligns with broader international efforts to support Ukraine’s defence industry. In March 2025, Denmark announced a 130 million-euro fund for its companies ready to invest in Ukrainian defence-industrial companies. Additionally, the United Kingdom and Ukraine have launched their first joint venture in Britain to produce Raybird tactical drones, a collaboration between Ukrainian company Skyeton and British defence industry leader Prevail Partners.
Furthermore, in March 2025, the Brave1 defence innovation cluster will embark on an investment tour of the United States to present Ukrainian drones and defence tech developments to American investors and potential partners. These collective efforts underscore the growing recognition of Ukraine’s defence tech sector as a vital and promising investment arena.
As the UCDI Investor Club continues to expand and attract new participants, it is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Ukraine’s defence industry. By fostering collaboration and investment, the club not only addresses immediate defence needs but also lays the groundwork for long-term growth and innovation in the sector.