Startup of the Day: Broswarm, a Lithuanian defense tech 

Broswarm is a Vilnius-based defense tech startup focused on mine detection which was founded in 2023 by Ernestas Žvaigždinas, Karolis Žvaigždinas, and Mindaugas Talaikis. The startup leverages a multisensor fusion technology aiming to increase the speed, safety, and efficiency of demining operations. A month ago, Broswarm raised a $100,000 round led by ScaleWolf.

In the Startup of the Day column, the founding team of Broswarm, shares the details about the startup’s idea, its product, and future plans.

The Startup of the Day column on AIN is dedicated to tech projects from all sectors that originate from the CEE countries. If you would like to introduce your project, please fill in the questionnaire.

Tell us about your startup. How does it work?

Broswarm is a defence tech startup specialising in advanced mine detection technologies. The startup employs drones equipped with a multi-sensor array technology that integrates various sensors like metal detectors, magnetometers, thermal imaging, and HD cameras. These drones are enhanced with machine learning algorithms to analyse sensor data. That helps us make identification and location of mines more accurate.

How did you come up with the startup’s idea? What was the reason/motivation behind it?

The idea for Broswarm came from our belief in the urgent need for improved mine detection methods in conflict zones.

Particularly in Ukraine, which is a country very close to us geographically and which we feel a strong bond to because of our history of occupation. In addition, a significant portion of Ukraine’s land is now contaminated with mines,

What we’ve generally seen is that the average mine detection methods are outdated and slow. We wanted to develop a more efficient, technology-driven solution, but one that is also affordable.

How long did it take to reach the prototype or MVP? What did you encounter?

In 2023, our team won a defence tech contest with a concept that was likely not at MVP stage yet. And now, we went through the ScaleWolf accelerator in Vilnius with a much stronger product.

However, most of these trials and testing were not done in a real mine field. The key moment will be when we test our technology in Ukraine, we are planning field tests there later this year.

When exactly did you launch your product? Or when the launch is planned?

We plan to launch our product later in the year and after we conduct tests in Ukraine. The exact date of the market launch is not set in stone, but we hope to be able to commercialise within this year.

Tell us about the startup’s business model. How do you monetize your product?

This is still something we haven’t fully decided on. However, at this stage the most important aspect of pricing is that it’s affordable enough to significantly move the needle in landmine detection capabilities in Ukraine, and at a price that makes sense for us to be able to produce and reinvest profits in improving the product.

What are your target markets and consumers?

While we do want to make a significant impact in Ukraine as soon as possible, our vision is to detect landmines anywhere in the world where they are an issue. We are talking about warzones and ex-warzones where there are very real problems – civilians, especially children, being killed or losing their limbs due to landmines.

Recipients of the product could be governmental players, non-governmental organisations and others involved in demining and land rehabilitation.

What about your team? How many people are working in the startup? If you’re looking for new employees, indicate whom exactly.

The team consists of founders Ernestas Žvaigždinas, CEO, Karolis Žvaigždinas, CTO, and Mindaugas Talaikis, a Lead Engineer.

Have you already raised any investments? Provide us with more details on each funding round: the amount, investors, the purpose of the investment.

In month 2024, we raised $100,000 in funding from ScaleWolf, a hybrid accelerator and fund focusing on defence tech. This investment supports us with the development and patenting of new, upcoming technology as well as the field testing we will undertake in Ukraine later this year.

What’s next? Tell us about your future plans.

Conducting field tests in Ukraine, and preparing for a market launch. While our product is currently based on putting together existing tech and using it in new ways, we are also working on patenting new technology to better detect landmines of different sizes and at different depths in the ground. And, of course, we are looking to prepare for the next raise so that all this can make the biggest possible impact in the real world as soon as possible.