TEKEVER Secures €70 Million to Revolutionize UAS for Defense and Commercial Intelligence

TEKEVER, a startup in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) sector has secured €70 million in its latest funding round with Baillie Gifford and the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) as leaders while other investors include the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) and Crescent Cove Advisors LP. The funds received will be used to speed up research and development, expand production, and reach out more globally.

TEKEVER has developed and is operating UAS to offer a novel service model, under the name of Intelligence-as-a-Service (IaaS), which combines aerial systems with advanced analytics. The company will stand out because of its vertically integrated approach, combining in-house capabilities across aeronautical design, manufacturing, software development, and data science. This integration allows it to quickly adapt the products to changing customer demands and take them to market faster than traditional aerospace companies.

The company’s technology does have wide application potential: it can be used both by civilian and military sectors. TEKEVER UAS can be deployed to detect environmental threats in the form of oil spills, wildfires, or flash floods. The devices are also used for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and conducting search-and-rescue missions, particularly in defense and security settings. These dual-use systems have already been trusted by a number of leading organizations, such as the European Maritime Safety Agency, the UK Home Office, and various defense forces and corporations across Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia.

TEKEVER specializes in providing expertise in advanced satellite communication and networking systems, including satellite Inter-Satellite Links (ISLs) and satellite RF payloads for Earth observation and space exploration missions. The company has led the way in supporting complex ISR missions that are rigorous and demanding over long ranges. For instance, TEKEVER systems have been used in Ukraine to provide ISR to operational venues under extreme conditions.

TEKEVER’s CEO, Ricardo Mendes, emphasized the company’s focus on creating future-proofed, AI-powered systems that can be scaled and delivered worldwide. The company’s AI-driven, hardware-centric systems are designed to not only meet current operational needs but also adapt to the future challenges faced by its customers in both defense and commercial sectors.

The €70 million funding round is a significant step in TEKEVER’s growth strategy. Chris Evdaimon, Investment Manager at Baillie Gifford, pointed to the very rare combination of rapid growth and profitability that TEKEVER represents in the defense and security space. He praised its vertically integrated model and deep, real-world experience in deploying UAS for critical missions. According to Evdaimon, technology by TEKEVER revolutionizes the ISR sector and is vital for advancing defense, security, and resilience worldwide.

In addition to making strong defense contributions, TEKEVER’s technology is also having a commercial impact. Its UAS systems provide very valuable intelligence services for various industries-from environmental monitoring to private sector security. With cutting-edge technology and strong relationships with clients from both government and the commercial sector, the company continues to expand its reach globally.

TEKEVER, looking ahead, will use the funds raised to really upgrade its R&D efforts and innovate product offerings. Since it has a very strong base of existing clients and proven success in complex missions, the company seeks to further develop the capabilities of its systems to keep pace with growing demand from both the defense and commercial sectors for UAS technology. The financing also aims to scale up the production and delivery infrastructure of TEKEVER into new markets to make it one of the giants in the UAS industry.

Funding success for TEKEVER has been an indicator of the growing importance of unmanned aerial systems in modern defense and security operations. The startup stands out as a combination of drone technology, AI-driven data processing, and satellite communications expert, positioning it at the cutting edge of this industry. Governments and private sector entities will continue their searching for advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions; thus, TEKEVER is expected to be at the forefront of influencing such a significant future technology.