Swarmer
Overview
Swarmer is a Ukrainian startup specializing in the development of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered drone autonomy solutions. Founded in May 2023 by Serhiy Kuprienko and Alex Fink, the company has rapidly gained attention in the defense technology sector. Based in Wilmington, DE, Swarmer has raised approximately $17.7 million, highlighted by a recent $15 million Series A funding round in 2025. The firm focuses on enabling drones to operate autonomously in swarm configurations, enhancing their effectiveness in complex environments.
Recent Developments
- September 2025: Swarmer announced a $15 million Series A funding round, marking the largest investment in a Ukrainian defense tech company since the war began. The investment round was led by Broadband Capital Investments and included significant participation from other U.S.-based investors like R-G.AI and Network VC. The funding aims to further enhance their AI-driven drone swarm technology, allowing for the deployment of large numbers of autonomous drones and robots, regardless of the number of trained pilots.
- June 2025: Swarmer's technology played a crucial role in a Ukrainian operation inside Russia, where suicide drones were used to significantly damage Russian military assets. This operation demonstrated the real-world effectiveness and strategic advantage of Swarmer's AI-powered autonomous drones.
- May 2025: The company partnered with SpiderOak, a cybersecurity firm, to enhance security for its autonomous fleets operating in environments with significant electronic warfare interference. This partnership underscores Swarmer's commitment to robust and secure autonomous operations, even in challenging settings.
- April 2025: Swarmer was featured among the Future Unicorn Award finalists by DIGITALEUROPE, showcasing its potential to become one of the prominent dual-use technology companies.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | May 2023 |
| Headquarters | Wilmington, DE |
| Founders | Serhiy Kuprienko, Alex Fink |
| Revenue | Not publicly disclosed |
| Profits | Not publicly disclosed |
| Key Investors | Broadband Capital Investments, R-G.AI, D3 Ventures, Green Flag Ventures, Radius Capital, Network VC |
| Industry | Drone Autonomy Technology |
| Number of Employees | 20 |
Early History
Swarmer was founded in May 2023 amidst a backdrop of increasing demand for sophisticated, autonomous military technologies. Situated within the defense sector where swift innovation and adaptability represent significant strategic advantages, the company's inception was driven by the founders' vision of creating advanced AI solutions that can perform effectively in high-risk environments. The founders, Serhiy Kuprienko and Alex Fink, capitalized on the limitations of existing UAV technologies by emphasizing autonomy and swarming capabilities—factors that are critical for modern warfare scenarios. The startup's initial growth phase was marked by attracting seed investments from strategic partners keenly interested in defense capabilities, positioning it for rapid scale-up and demonstrating its unique value proposition in field tests.
Company Profile and Achievements
Swarmer specializes in developing AI-powered drone technology designed to reduce human intervention in high-risk tasks, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and safety in challenging environments. The company’s primary achievement includes the successful deployment of AI-driven swarm drone technology that allows multiple unmanned vehicles to coordinate autonomously without the need for GNSS.
- 2023-2024: Early trials and deployments demonstrated Swarmer’s technology in action, proving its capabilities in more than 10,000 missions within combat settings.
- 2024: A $2.7 million seed funding round helped accelerate the development of Swarmer’s autonomous capabilities, establishing its position in the defense tech realm.
- 2025: Swarmer’s technology stood out in various strategic operations, validating its systems in actual combat conditions and gaining favor with both military and private sector players.
Current Operations and Market Position
Currently, Swarmer operates on the frontier of drone autonomy technology, catering predominantly to the defense sector. The company’s solutions leverage AI to facilitate independent navigation and coordination across various drone types, which presents a formidable market position due to the increasing reliance on unmanned systems in military operations. Swarmer's competitive advantage lies in its ability to integrate AI securely with cyber-resilient technologies, reinforcing its drones against electronic warfare. This technological edge propels Swarmer’s market presence notably within Ukraine and expanding into global markets where operational effectiveness in conflicted zones is paramount.
Conclusion
Swarmer occupies a pivotal role within the AI-powered drone technology landscape, particularly in developing swarm capabilities for defense applications. With groundbreaking advancements in autonomous operations and significant funding support, it is positioned to influence future military operational strategies substantially. The emphasis on secure, coordinated drone systems ensures its competitive edge in an evolving market. As the company continues scaling its operations and refining its technologies, it holds the potential to redefine standards within both military and commercial sectors, marking its journey as one that is closely watched by industry observers and investors alike.