Kyiv-based defense tech firm Black Forest Systems has secured $400,000 from Front Ventures and Hede Capital Partners to advance its infantry-focused unmanned systems.
- Launched in 2024 by Oleksandr Davydenko, Black Forest Systems develops autonomous and robotic systems for ground and aerial applications.
- Its SHADOX system is a compact reconnaissance drone for infantry, with protected propellers, built-in stabilization, and intuitive controls that allow soldiers with minimal training to operate it in close-range environments such as buildings and trenches.
- The company develops its platforms in-house, moving from concept to fully functional prototypes through a vertically integrated approach.
- BFS is headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, with additional teams in Kyiv, Ukraine, providing end-to-end solutions from hardware and software design to operational deployment.
“Our mission is to shift complexity from the operator to the technology itself. We build systems that simplify decision-making and give every infantryman access to advanced unmanned capabilities," explains Oleksandr Davydenko, CEO of BFS.
Details of the deal
- Black Forest Systems plans to industrialize and scale its SHADOX drones, refining engineering, preparing for production, and enabling structured deployment to infantry and special forces units, with several thousand drones expected to be produced in 2026.
“We invest in technologies that build long-term strategic capability. Black Forest Systems is not merely developing a drone platform, it is building a technological foundation in autonomy, electronics, and secure communications that can scale across multiple unmanned applications. We view this as a strategically important step in strengthening European defense technology capacity,” claims Patrik Olson, CEO Hede Capital Partners.
