Origin is a Riga-based defence technology startup specialising in advanced autonomous systems with a focus on airborne precision-guided weapon systems. The startup just received €4 million in financing. This is into €2.4 million in venture capital, led by Change Ventures with participation from Silicon Roundabout Ventures, and €1.6 million in EU grants and support from the Latvian Ministry of Defence.
This investment follows the recent defence tech funding round such as German unicorn Helsing and US-based startup Pyka.
This funding will accelerate product development and enable Origin to expand its team with key engineering and sales hires. The company already has commercial agreements with two NATO countries, and its flagship product, the BEAK, is battlefield-tested.
The need for cost-effective defence solutions
The conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the need for precision-strike systems as traditional heavy equipment and FPV drones face limitations in modern warfare. Even large democracies who have the means to afford heavy equipment such as fighter jets are re-evaluating the cost-effectiveness of current precision-strike systems. This situation has created an urgent need for new solutions in the defence sector.
Origin addresses this challenge by developing precision-guided weapon systems that are both cost-effective and highly efficient.
Develops efficient, battlefield-tested solution
Founded in 2022 by Agris Kipurs and Ilya Nevdah following the invasion of Ukraine, Origin aims to provide a new generation of cost-effective precision weapons capabilities. Its flagship product, the BEAK, is a man-portable ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) drone with precision guidance technology, delivering precision-strike capability at a cost significantly lower than existing alternatives.
Picture Credits: Origin
It achieves this by retaining its most valuable components on a reusable carrier vehicle, unlike traditional systems where these components are embedded in the projectile and destroyed with each strike.
The BEAK employs advanced computer-vision algorithms and AI for precision guidance technology and autonomous flight, allowing it to navigate complex environments and respond to threats even under intense radio jamming. In addition to these capabilities, the BEAK is man-portable, quick to deploy, and designed for ease of use, making it highly desirable for defence forces operating in rapidly changing environments.
Agris Kipurs, co-founder and CEO of Origin, said: “We find ourselves in a new era where security can no longer be taken for granted and warfare is evolving rapidly. We saw an opportunity to leverage our decade of experience building autonomous drones for the demanding needs of action sports enthusiasts to create an alternative to today’s expensive precision-guided munitions.”
Andris K. Berzins, Partner at Change Ventures, said: “Having known Agris and Ilya for a decade through their successful launch of the world’s leading action sports drone Airdog, I knew this team is unlike the many that have started learning how to build a drone startup only since the Ukraine invasion two years ago. Their ability to combine this expertise with an ambitious vision to reshape the precision weapons market, and their remarkable traction within the past 18 months, made investing in Origin an easy choice.”
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