- Ukrainian-British Trypillian receives USD 5M from Brooks Newmark who also joins as co-founder and chairman
- The startup is led by Ukrainian and British veterans with significant tech and military experience
- The company develops various modular defense tech like drones and strike systems based on battlefield feedback
- Future plans focus on scaling R&D, expanding partnerships, and strengthening international presence
This May, the Ukrainian-British versatile defense tech startup Trypillian announced having attracted USD 5M of investment. The funding comes from the former British MP and Minister of the Civil Society and Ukraine’s devout supporter Brooks Newmark.
A Team Forged by War and Tech
Trypillian was founded in 2024 by a team with direct experience in both warfare and technology. It is led by co-founder and CEO Ivan Matveichenko, a Ukrainian military veteran with experience in the battles for Bakhmut and Soledar during 2022–2023. Prior to his military service, he worked for IBM from 2012 to 2017, bringing a blend of technical and operational expertise to the company.
Supporting him is project manager Dr Oleh Bondarenko, another Ukrainian veteran with a strong background in research and project leadership. Since 2017, he has been affiliated with the Kyiv Aviation Institute, where he heads the project office. His academic and organizational experience complements Trypillian’s focus on advanced defense solutions.
Dr Robert Seely, Trypillian’s head of strategy, is responsible for the company’s strategic direction. He is another former British MP, military officer, strategist, and author of a recent book ‘The New Total War’ analyzing Russia’s broader geopolitical approach and its impact on global security.
This combination of military insight and technical proficiency positions the startup to develop solutions aimed at enhancing national security and operational efficiency in conflict zones.
From Hospital Bed to Boardroom
Brooks Newmark, Investor, Co-Founder, and Chairman at Trypillian
Brooks Newmark joins the company not just as an investor but as Trypillian’s co-founder and chairman.
‘Ivan first reached out to me in spring 2023 from a hospital bed, shortly after being injured. When we later met in person and discussed the state of Ukraine’s defence tech sector, we initially considered setting up a passive investment fund. However, after visiting different startup teams across Ukraine, we realized that we want to take a more active role. Instead of making many minority investments, I chose to work on my own company with purpose and direction,’ Mr Newmark recalls.
‘We realised that to move fast and have real impact, we needed to build something from the ground up,’ Mr Matveichenko adds.
Solutions from the Battlefield, for the Battlefield
Trypillan works on a range of efficient defence solutions, all at different stages of their development. FPV drones, bombers, and a deep-strike platform are already in advanced R&D and field testing stages. At the same time, the team is in active discussions with specialized teams developing combat communications and high-altitude, satellite-like platforms.
According to Mr Matveichenko, the decisions on which solution to work on are driven by two main factors: direct feedback from the battlefield and an in-depth understanding of the structural shortcomings of current defence capabilities.
First, the tactical problems that soldiers face in real combat are identified. This is often achieved through conversations with active-duty personnel and veterans on the Trypillian team or by engaging directly with units.
‘For instance, we consider where existing solutions are too costly, too complicated, or simply unavailable on a large scale. This was the starting point for our deep-strike system, which delivers long-range effects affordably and autonomously,’ Mr Matveichenko shares.
Modular, Mission-Focused Innovation in a Fragmented Defense Ecosystem
The goal is to create modular, mission-focused, and adaptable solutions that reduce risk to personnel and expand the tactical capabilities of frontline forces. From the early development stages, the startup works closely with the Ukrainian Armed Forces to ensure that solutions are compatible with real battlefield conditions, including existing command structures, communication protocols, and deployment logistics.
Trypillian consciously refrains from developing overly complex or proprietary platforms. Instead, the startup’s tools can be deployed quickly, operated with minimal training, and integrated into current tactical workflows. Such an approach makes it easier for units to adopt our systems without the need for major changes to infrastructure or doctrine.
Importantly, Mr Matveichenko reminds that the Ukrainian military does not have a real legacy system per se. Instead, the Armed Forces operate a unique and constantly evolving mix of Soviet legacy weaponry, NATO-standard help supplied by allies, and newly developed systems, many of which are less than a year old.
‘This environment presents both challenges and opportunities because it puts adaptability and ease of deployment over almost anything else. We believe this is the new reality of warfare that Western militaries will also need to accept,’ the CEO notes.
Home-Made
Ivan Matveichenko, CO-Founder and CEO at Trypillian
All of Trypillian’s research, development, and testing is carried out in Ukraine in close coordination with the military to ensure the products address real battlefield needs. The current team includes twelve people based in Ukraine and three in the UK. The Ukrainian team leads all technical and R&D work, while the UK side focuses on business development and strategic partnerships.
‘As we scale, particularly if we reach the stage of producing hundreds of drones per month, we do not intend to build our own factories. Instead, we will work through a partnership model, collaborating with existing production facilities that can manufacture according to our specifications, blueprints, and technical requirements,’ Mr Matveichenko tells ITKeyMedia.
A Chairman with Boots on the Ground
Trypillian’s further growth will largely be contributed by Mr Newmark who joins the startup not only as an investor but as a fully-fledged co-founder and an integral part of the team. His unique combination of political, financial, and humanitarian experience positions him to understand how to navigate government structures, build international relationships, and align with international defence priorities. His background in private equity and venture building (among his many positions, he was a senior partner at Apollo Global Management) enables us to develop Trypillian as not just a startup, but a credible and scalable business that adheres to international governance standards.
Furthermore, Mr Newmark has extensive experience working on the ground in Ukraine. He spent over three years there, evacuating more than 35,000 civilians through his humanitarian initiative, Angels for Ukraine. This gives him a genuine connection to the people, the urgency, and the mission that we serve.
Scaling for the Frontlines
‘My core motivation is to help Ukraine defend itself—and, in doing so, to help protect the wider West. I came here to take action, not just to observe, and to demonstrate to other investors that supporting Ukraine is a sensible move. There are strong ideas here, driven by capable and courageous people,’ Mr Newmark states.
He sees his role in helping build a bridge between Ukrainian innovators and international stakeholders, and between frontline realities and boardroom decisions. Additionally, his involvement demonstrates to other investors that Ukraine is a place of opportunity.
The injection of USD 5M puts Trypillian in a phase of focused growth, both in terms of product development and operational scale. Namely, the new investment will go toward expanding R&D in Ukraine, developing the product portfolio, and strengthening the company’s international presence. The focus remains on developing new technological solutions and attracting more qualified talent.
By prioritizing adaptability, modularity, and integration with existing systems, Trypillian invaluably aids the modernization of warfare in a practical and scalable way. Its mission-driven approach not only strengthens Ukraine’s defense but also represents a critical intersection of battlefield insight and technological innovation, addressing real and immediate defense needs and setting a precedent for agile, purpose-built innovation in global security.
Kostiantyn is a freelance writer from Crimea but based in Lviv. He loves writing about IT and high tech because those topics are always upbeat and he’s an inherent optimist!
