Search for...

CEE Startup & Tech Weekly: New Defense Unicorn with Ukrainian Roots

CEE Startup & Tech Weekly: New Defense Unicorn with Ukrainian Roots, TheRecursive.com
~

The Recursive’s weekly roundup aims to cover key tech developments across Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the growing impact of CEE-born founders on the global stage. Take a look at the latest news in funding, startup milestones, and emerging trends tied to the region’s innovation potential.

CEE news & deals

Rheinmetall AG, the Düsseldorf-based defence technology group, has acquired a 51% majority stake in Zagreb-headquartered DOK-ING, a specialist in uncrewed ground systems for mine clearance and military engineering. Founder Vjekoslav Majetić retains the remaining 49%. The purchase price remains undisclosed, and the transaction is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities.

UForce, a UK-based deftech company with Ukrainian roots, has raised $50 million in funding at a $1 billion valuation. The round was led by Shield Capital and Lakestar, with additional participation from Ballistic Ventures, according to Bloomberg.

Czech Flowpay, a fintech focused on SME financing, is expanding in Europe by acquiring Tapline, a German startup providing funding solutions for AI, SaaS, and tech-driven companies. The deal strengthens Flowpay’s presence in Germany and the UK and adds new technology, expertise, and a financing product to its portfolio.

Greek Wealthyhood, an investment app built for the next generation of investors, closed a €6 million funding round led by the Bank of Cyprus. By combining Wealthyhood’s “wealthtech” stack with the Bank of Cyprus’s massive market reach, the two are aiming to modernize how Europeans save and invest.
Momenta has led a €2.5 million Series A funding round in Surveily, a Wrocław-based edge AI company that integrates real-time computer vision into industrial safety operations. The round was co-led with Look AI Ventures and precedes a planned second close from a Polish investment fund.
Polish startup Mimira has raised €1 million in a pre-seed round led by the British fund Elder Gull. The company will use the funding to further develop its technology, grow its team, and expand sales in Poland and selected European markets.
Romanian Bravva Angels have joined the group backing Fagura, a digital financial ecosystem. The investment was made through a syndicated deal on SeedBlink and contributes to a broader €1.5 million convertible round raised over the past year from angel investors.

New partnerships & other updates

Strategic partnership between Bulgaria Sat and Polish operator ComStellation enabling the BulgariaSat-1 satellite to serve as operational infrastructure for secure satellite communications in Poland and across Central and Eastern Europe. Following successful technical testing by Poland’s National Institute of Telecommunications under the supervision of the Polish Space Agency, BulgariaSat-1 now provides secure dual-use (civil and military) satellite connectivity for Poland, the Baltic States, and other European regions, including Ukraine.

Read more:  Polish BidFinance Raises €1.6M to Disrupt Europe’s Debt Trading Market with Real-Time Auctions

Austrian Post has completed the acquisition of a 70% stake in euShipments.com AD, a logistics partner for online merchants in Central and Eastern Europe, following regulatory approvals in Romania and Bulgaria. The company reported €51 million in revenue in 2025 and continues to grow. In early 2026, it opened new fulfilment centres in Bolzano and Barcelona, expanding storage capacity by over one third and improving delivery times to Southern Europe.

Help us grow the emerging innovation hubs in Central and Eastern Europe

Every single contribution of yours helps us guarantee our independence and sustainable future. With your financial support, we can keep on providing constructive reporting on the developments in the region, give even more global visibility to our ecosystem, and educate the next generation of innovation journalists and content creators.

Find out more about how your donation could help us shape the story of the CEE entrepreneurial ecosystem!

One-time donation

You can also support The Recursive’s mission with a pick-any-amount, one-time donation. 👍