Brave1 launches a competition for Ukrainian and NATO defence tech companies, with a €10M first-round budget

The Ukrainian defence cluster Brave1 and NATO are launching the first competition under the UNITE – Brave NATO programme. Deftech companies from Ukraine and NATO countries are invited to join forces to create a joint product.

The total budget for the first round is €10 million. The maximum grant per joint application is €1 million (up to €500,000 per party).

In the first stage of the competition, defence companies must register and undergo a verification process to ensure they meet the competition criteria. Once verified, companies will be able to find partners on the platform (Ukrainian companies may collaborate only with international companies, and vice versa).

If both parties express interest, their contact details will be shared, and they can communicate directly. Companies that have formed partnerships must begin cooperation and submit a joint application. Ukrainian businesses that already have partnerships with foreign firms and wish to submit a joint application will be able to do so once the submission portal opens.

Key themes of the competition:

• Active defence systems against FPV drones
• Advanced and affordable countermeasures against Shaheds
• Electromagnetic support for radio-technical reconnaissance
• Electromagnetic jamming technologies against FPV drones
• High-altitude flight platforms
• Autonomous guidance systems

Finalists will be selected by a committee, and their products will undergo testing in Ukraine. Brave1 will fund Ukrainian participants, whilst NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package will cover the costs of companies from NATO countries. The winners of the first competition will be announced in summer 2026.