Tallinn-based deeptech startup Lendurai has raised €5.5 million in seed funding to accelerate its work on autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems capable of operating in GPS- and radio-denied environments.
The round was led by Expeditions Fund, with support from HCVC and Vsquared Ventures.
Tackling real-world UAV limitations with on-board AI
Founded by Siim Maivel, Mark Cowan, and Sergii Kharagorgiiev—alumni of Bolt, Open Cosmos, and Starship Technologies—Lendurai is developing an AI-powered autonomy stack that runs entirely on-board, eliminating the need for remote operators or satellite navigation. Their tech enables UAVs to carry out complex missions even in electronic warfare environments where jamming and signal interference are common.
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Dual-use platform built for scale
Lendurai’s platform supports interchangeable payloads and leverages commonly available hardware to lower operational costs. Unlike traditional first-person-view drones, which often require teams of operators and suffer up to 70% mission failure due to interference, Lendurai’s autonomous drones offer rapid deployment and reduced risk.
Strong investor backing and military relevance
Expeditions Fund, which specializes in European security startups, praised the company for offering “advanced computer vision for GNSS-denied environments at a fraction of the market price.” NATO and allied forces are expected to be key adopters of the platform. The startup’s tech has already been tested in real-world scenarios, including conflict zones.
Built in Europe, for Europe
Lendurai builds its systems in Estonia using European-sourced components, ensuring they meet military-grade standards and strategic sovereignty requirements. Commercial applications are also on the roadmap.
