Thousands of new startups are founded every year – emerging companies with the potential to disrupt the military and defense industry. To give you a head-start on emerging technologies & startups that will impact the military sector in 2024, we analyzed a total of 5 086 global military technology startups & scaleups. Meet 20 of the most promising startups to watch!
20 Military Technology Startups to Watch in 2024
- Terminal Autonomy – Munition Carriers
- Imaging Systems Australia – Imaging Devices
- SciWise – Radiological Detection System
- Comand AI – Strategic Decision-Making
- TeraSynth – Defense Simulations
- Firestorm – Mission-adaptable UAS
- Mach Industries – Hydrogen-powered UAV
- Nighthawk Flight Systems – Avionics Display
- TESS Defence – Military Vehicles Manufacturing
- LightRidge Solutions – National Security Solutions
- IMINT.AI – Military Vehicle Recognition
- Seitec – Blind Spot Mitigation
- Centimani – Soldier Survivability
- Arctic Horizons – Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs)
- Furtherium – Augmented Reality (AR) Head Mounted Display (HUD)
- AI EdgeLabs – Autonomous Threat Monitoring
- Phlux Technologies – CMOS-based 3D Sensors
- LQUOM – Long-Distance Quantum Communication
- Ventus Respiratory – Respiratory Protection
- AS2 Systems – Autonomous Control Systems
Global Startup Heat Map highlights 20 Military Technology Startups to Watch in 2024
Out of 5 086, the 20 military technology startups to watch are chosen through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 4 760 120+ startups & scaleups globally. As the world’s largest resource for data on emerging companies, the SaaS platform enables you to scout relevant startups, emerging technologies & future industry trends quickly & exhaustively.
The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the 20 military technology startups you should watch in 2024 as well as the geo-distribution of the other 5 086 startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research. We hand-picked the 20 highlighted military technology startups based on our data-driven startup scouting approach, taking into account factors such as location, founding year, the relevance of technology, & funding, among others.
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Explore 20 Military Technology Startups to Watch (2024)
Terminal Autonomy builds Munition Carriers
Ukrainian startup Terminal Autonomy enhances military capabilities with its simple, cost-effective, and disposable systems. It offers the AQ 400 Scythe, a payload delivery system that operates in environments with enemy jamming at strategic distances.
The startup’s AQ 100 Bayonet, is a loitering munition for artillery spotters, equipped with various cameras, sensors, and kinetic munitions. Lastly, the Scalpel AQV, a loitering munition is easily deployable and minimizes collateral damage.
Imaging Systems Australia provides Imaging Devices
Australian startup Imaging Systems Australia offers imaging solutions for sectors such as defense, government, and aeronautics. It focuses on compact, high-resolution imaging devices to be used for missions below the surface, aerial platforms, and land-based missions, both static and portable.
Further, the startup provides post-mission analysis tools and training for mission capability and infrastructure monitoring. Imaging Systems Australia’s array of imaging systems encompasses infrared and low-light capabilities.
SciWise provides Radiological Detection System
Canadian startup SciWise offers the Alpha-Beta Probe, a radiological detection system (RDS). This system measures surface contamination of both alpha and beta radiation. The probe features a dual detection system, equipped with a phosphor scintillator and a zinc sulfide PMT. It has the ability to differentiate between Alpha and Beta radiation at the same time. SciWise’s probe fulfills the needs of both military/defense and industrial applications.
Comand AI enables Strategic Decision-Making
French startup Comand AI provides defense forces with decision-making and operating capabilities. It offers AI-powered functionalities for the command and control of defense operations. These operations provide defense forces and allied armed forces with a strategic advantage. Comand AI’s automatic command-providing software is designed to be robust and secure, suitable for battlefield conditions.
TeraSynth enhances Defense Simulations
US startup TeraSynth builds modeling, simulation & training MS&T solutions that utilize VR. These solutions integrate technical manuals, SME insights, and generative AI, to align with the specific needs of defense organizations. Further, the startup integrates realistic environments. This allows for immersive, flexible training experiences that improve readiness and decision-making.
Firestorm develops Mission-adaptable UAS
US-based startup Firestorm develops unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that adapts to various missions. Its platform, Tempest, incorporates a quick connect/disconnect assembly method. This modular design allows for easy integration of new payloads. The swappable propulsion systems meet different mission requirements, such as acoustic stealth and cruise speed.
Further, the startup provides xCell, a semi-automated manufacturing cell for expeditions, which is powered by generators that operate off the grid. OCTRA, its flight controller, mission computer, and vehicle management system, oversees all Firestorm vehicles. Lastly, Firestorm’s Operations Warroom offers simulations for mission planning that are based on scientific accuracy.
Mach Industries offers Hydrogen-powered UAV
US-based startup Mach Industries works on defense systems that utilize hydrogen as a fuel source. Its technology includes the production and combustion of hydrogen derived from field sources. This is used to power its unmanned aerial vehicles and aerial protection devices. Furthermore, Mach Industries is developing a range of oxyhydrogen defense platforms to tackling the issue of hypersonic defense.
Nighthawk Flight Systems provides Avionics Display
US startup Nighthawk Flight Systems offers compact integrated avionics solutions, including six avionics displays and an Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) product. These display systems utilize a light engine display technology. The SA4550 model upgrades electromechanical ADIs to an LED-backlit electronic display.
The SG102/D Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) is tailored for aircraft not equipped with KG102. The SN3500 Primary Navigation Display comes with a wide-angle display. Finally, the SN4500 4-ATI Primary Navigation Display incorporates Smart I/O, which aids in simplifying the installation process.
TESS Defence manufactures Military Vehicles
Spanish startup TESS Defence designs and manufactures advanced military vehicles. Its product, the VCR 8×8 Dragon, is a combat vehicle with various capabilities. This vehicle offers mobility, protection, and reliability, along with combat power. It is used in different scenarios, including peacekeeping operations and conflicts of higher intensity.
LightRidge Solutions provides National Security Solutions
US startup LightRidge Solutions works on sensor payloads for ground, airborne, and space-based applications. Its operating unit, GEOST, provides small payloads for distributed space architectures, using space data for decision-making. Further, OPHIR, its other unit, offers airborne laser radar (LIDAR) sensors. These sensors function in remote and challenging environments.
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IMINT.AI simplifies Military Vehicle Recognition
IMINT.AI is a Lithuanian startup that facilitates vehicle recognition for military operations. Traditional vehicle detection algorithms lack the accuracy and speed necessary for real-time target identification. Consequently, this leads to friendly fire incidents and loss of life.
The startup’s solution leverages AI-based computer vision to automatically recognize various military vehicles in images, videos, and real-time visual streams. This allows militaries to improve situational awareness and information gathering in intelligence, reconnaissance, and battlefield missions.
Seitec facilitates Blind Spot Mitigation
Seitec is an Australian startup that mitigates blind spots on battlefields. The startup leverages seismic sensors to see through the ground, walls, trees, and hills. Moreover, they feature low-power and long-range wireless operations as well as support a range of up to 12 km.
Seitec also develops an AI on the edge system, NIGHTINGALE, to detect and track footsteps in real time. Its other system, UXOTRACKS, detects ordnance impacts on weapons ranges. For this, UXOTRACKS utilizes a distributed network of seismic sensors to provide accurate data into location coordinates and search areas.
Centimani improves Soldier Survivability
Centimani is a US-based startup that maximizes soldier survivability and lethality. Soldiers on battlefields need to carry heavy equipment, including weapons, that affect their endurance level. The startup’s lightweight, unpowered exoskeleton arm redistributes weight from arms and shoulders to the trunk while maintaining freedom of movement.
This allows soldiers to operate heavy machines for longer, with increased precision, and more safety. Moreover, the exoskeleton reduces shot recoil while operating heavy weapons.
Arctic Horizons develops Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs)
Arctic Horizons is a Canadian startup that makes UCAVs. Real-time intelligence gathering and strike operations usually put civilians and military personnel in life-threatening situations. The startup’s tilt-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Piglet, is a heavy-lift, omnidirectional thrust vectoring tilt-rotor (OTV-tilt-rotor) quadcopter, which efficiently replaces soldiers on battlefields.
It supports various payloads, such as anti-material rifles and grenade launchers. The startup also develops a disposable ultra-lightweight UAV, Stictia, and an unmanned mid-range fixed-wing loitering munition, Peregrine. These UAVs allow militaries to deliver multiple payloads and enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Furtherium offers an Augmented Reality (AR) Head Mounted Display (HUD)
Furtherium is a US-based startup that provides an AR HUD for military personnel. It features two high-definition cameras to deliver an extended field of view (FOV) and a thermal camera for night vision. The HUD’s AR vision improves situational awareness by enabling remote object assessment and optical zoom. This enhances friend-or-foe discrimination in difficult visibility conditions.
The HUD also supports silent voice and text communications as well as protects wearers from smoke and dust. Unlike conventional intelligence delivery systems, the startup’s solution enables hands-free operations and speeds up decision-making.
AI EdgeLabs enables Autonomous Threat Monitoring
AI EdgeLabs is a US-based startup that provides AI-driven autonomous threat monitoring for military networks. The startup’s software integrates into edge systems to extract network-based data points and detect threats. The startup’s application programming interface (API) holds a threat knowledge base and provides alert mitigation and deduplication.
Consequently, AI EdgeLabs’ solution allows military control stations to protect their networks and increase network visibility. It also improves threat analysis as well as incident response and remediation.
Phlux Technologies develops CMOS-based 3D Sensors
Phlux Technologies is a US-based startup that makes CMOS-based 3D sensors. They feature more vertical resolution than light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology as well as instantaneously capture and identify objects in one frame.
The startup’s software-defined 3D sensing also enables high-resolution data capture on demand. It enables militaries to streamline robots for tailored detection applications and place 3D security fences to identify and detect intrusions for perimeter security.
LQUOM advances Long-Distance Quantum Communication
LQUOM is a Japanese startup that offers long-distance quantum communication. The startup’s quantum cryptography-based communication device uses quantum entanglement across dual bands. Its companion software further improves the security of general-purpose mail software.
For this, the device creates two quanta at the sender side, a true random number and a carrier for C-band transmission. Additionally, the range of the device is improved by placing quantum repeaters between nodes. This allows governments to protect sensitive and defense-related information.
Ventus Respiratory improves Respiratory Protection
Ventus Respiratory is a Canadian startup that makes TR2, a tactical respirator for military and first responder personnel. Its replaceable filter cartridges filter most solid airborne particulates with a size of 0,3 µm. Additionally, its high-flow exit valve provides maximum breathability and minimizes eye-pro fogging caused by uncomfortable heat or moisture build-up.
To ensure effective communication, TR2 includes an IP67-rated microphone to deliver audio free of ambient sounds. By wearing this personal protective equipment (PPE), military personnel is able to mitigate lead poisoning caused due to inhalation of aerosolized lead from ammunition.
AS2 Systems makes Autonomous Control Systems
AS2 Systems is a UAE-based startup that develops connected and autonomous control systems for maritime autonomy. The startup’s autonomous remote control (ARC) system utilizes a modular approach to integrate third-party sensors and payloads.
Moreover, it features three levels of ARC for various levels of ship autonomy, from platform control and basic autonomy to autonomous decision-making. The system’s system-on-a-chip (SoC) further improves system security and encrypts the data sent over wireless networks. This allows naval forces to improve ISR missions, mine countermeasures, port security, and more.
Discover All Emerging Military Technology Startups
The Military Tech startups showcased in this report are only a small sample of all startups we identified through our data-driven startup scouting approach. Download our free Military Tech Innovation Report for a broad overview of the industry or get in touch for quick & exhaustive research on the latest technologies & emerging solutions that will impact your company in 2024!
