Ukrainian defence tech investment platform Resist.UA has launched Resist 2.0, a new European fund aiming to secure up to €50 million. This initiative is designed to channel international capital into Ukraine's burgeoning defence and dual-use technology sector. The fund will focus on scaling technologies that have been proven effective on the battlefield.
Bridging the Global Investment Gap
Over the past two years, Ukraine's defence technology landscape has attracted over $500 million in private investment, signaling strong global interest. However, many international investors have lacked a direct channel to engage with this dynamic ecosystem. Resist 2.0, established in Estonia, provides that crucial mechanism for qualified investors to access vetted opportunities.
The new fund will serve as a structured European investment platform, connecting capital with Ukrainian companies and European ventures with Ukrainian roots. Its mission is to support technologies shaped by frontline requirements and validated in real-world combat scenarios. This ensures investments are directed toward solutions with proven applicability and strategic value.
A Founder-First Investment Philosophy
Departing from traditional defence investment models that prioritize products, Resist.UA champions a founder-centric strategy. The firm believes the resilience and vision of a leadership team are the most critical assets for success. This philosophy focuses on entrepreneurs capable of building globally competitive companies under the most extreme conditions.
Oleksii Komlichenko, a Partner at Resist.UA, emphasized that people are the key factor in their evaluation process. He noted that while technologies evolve and products pivot, strong teams ultimately build scalable companies. The fund therefore places significant weight on the values and operational capabilities of the founders.
Building on a Successful Foundation
Resist.UA was founded in 2023 and established a track record with its first fund, backed by Ukrainian capital. This initial vehicle focused on pre-seed and seed-stage military technology startups, providing both investment and hands-on support. The goal was to help early-stage teams transform prototypes into scalable and commercially viable businesses.
Through its inaugural fund, the platform reviewed over 600 projects and built a portfolio valued at more than $10 million. Publicly disclosed investments include companies like Farsight Vision and M-FLY, though much of the portfolio remains confidential. This initial success demonstrated the viability of their investment model and the sector's potential.
A Strategic Vision for Ukraine's Future
The firm operates on a hybrid model combining venture capital agility with a private equity focus on long-term growth. A core principle is a reinvestment-first approach, where returns are primarily channeled back into scaling portfolio companies. This strategy is designed to strengthen the broader Ukrainian defence innovation ecosystem for sustained development.
Founding Partner Roman Sulzhyk, with experience from firms like J.P. Morgan, views this as a long-term endeavor. He stated the goal is to help shape a new industry that will become a key driver of Ukraine's post-war economy. The initiative seeks to integrate Ukrainian technologies into the global security and defence market.
The launch of Resist 2.0 marks a significant step in expanding investment into Ukraine's combat-proven technology sector. By creating a regulated European channel for international capital, Resist.UA is not only funding innovation but also building a sustainable industry. This strategic move positions Ukrainian defence tech as a formidable player on the global stage.