Tekever has officially become Europe’s newest AI defence unicorn. With a fresh funding round fully backed by existing investors, the company now boasts a valuation above £1 billion. The news arrives alongside its £400 million UK expansion initiative, OVERMATCH — a bold five-year plan to build cutting-edge, AI-powered defence systems.
Leading the round is London’s Ventura Capital, with continued support from Baillie Gifford, Iberis Capital, Crescent Cove, and the NATO Innovation Fund. Their backing highlights Tekever’s strong momentum in Europe’s growing defence tech space.
Tekever’s drones have already shown their impact. Since 2022, they’ve flown over 10,000 hours in Ukraine’s challenging combat zones. These missions helped destroy over £3 billion in Russian military assets, including two advanced S-400 air defence systems. In one mission near Saky in April 2025, Ukrainian forces used Tekever drones to damage a key radar component, taking out a vital part of Russia’s air defence network.
What makes Tekever stand out is its fast response to battlefield feedback. The team has pushed out more than 100 field updates — refining propulsion systems, communication tools, software, and AI. That agility is now being scaled up with OVERMATCH, allowing Tekever to deliver smarter, sovereign defence solutions across Europe.
Rewiring the Defence Industry with AI
OVERMATCH is more than an expansion. It’s a vision to reshape how Europe develops and deploys defence technology. Tekever will launch Centres of Excellence in the UK to bring startups, researchers, and industry partners together. These centres will test new tools, integrate systems, and speed up delivery.
The strategy has four clear pillars:
- BUILD: Set up innovation hubs in the UK
- NETWORK: Expand testing across Europe
- SCALE: Enable fast manufacturing
- PARTNER: Create cross-border alliances
This effort will add over 1,000 high-skilled UK jobs. It also boosts local production of Tekever’s AR3 and AR5 drones. More importantly, it helps Europe develop its own path, moving away from reliance on large global defence companies.
Tekever’s model fits well with the UK Ministry of Defence’s “3-2-1” approach. This policy aims to cut procurement time drastically — testing and deploying systems in just three months. That speed not only delivers real-world results but also attracts venture capital by showing clear returns fast.
Top Investors Fuel Tekever’s Rise
Each investor sees Tekever as a game-changer. Mo El Husseiny of Ventura Capital called it a key part of their deeptech portfolio — a company combining proven tech with profit and purpose. Baillie Gifford’s Chris Evdaimon pointed to its integrated model and frontline experience. From NATO’s side, John Ridge highlighted Tekever’s impact in Ukraine and its role in broader European transformation.
Tekever also benefits from having the right kind of backers. Baillie Gifford has long invested in space, energy, and biotech. Crescent Cove focuses on frontier software and AI. NATO’s Innovation Fund is building a strong defence tech ecosystem across member nations.
From Startup Roots to European Defence Prime
Tekever began in Lisbon in 2001. Founders Ricardo Mendes and Pedro Sinogas had a simple goal: bring AI and autonomy into national defence. They built on their early careers in embedded systems to create a company that now operates across Portugal, France, Ukraine, and the UK.
Their deep roots in avionics, propulsion, and software gave Tekever an edge. Unlike most defence firms, Tekever controls the entire process — from design and manufacturing to testing and deployment. That end-to-end control allows faster updates and smarter systems.
Shaping the Next Generation of Battlefield Tech
Tekever isn’t stopping at drones. With OVERMATCH, the company will scale testing sites, hire more engineers, and develop new AI-powered tools. Their focus remains on speed, adaptability, and delivering frontline impact — not just hardware.
According to Iberis Capital’s Diogo Chalbert Santos, Tekever’s ability to deliver smart, scalable solutions puts it at the centre of Europe’s defence future. A spokesperson from the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) echoed that view, saying Tekever’s growth will boost both national security and the UK economy.
Tekever proves that the future of defence lies in speed, networks, and AI-driven systems. With unicorn status secured and OVERMATCH underway, the company is building a new playbook — one where innovation moves at the speed of real-world threats.
