The valuation of a foreign Defense Tech startup can be five times higher than that of a Ukrainian company with similar technology, said Maksym Zubenko, a partner at WildField Ventures, in an interview with AIN.
The valuation of a foreign company is influenced, in particular, by established connections with a specific Ministry of Defense. "They have an additional advantage thanks to local contacts, for example, access to a certain country's ministry of defense," Zubenko explains.
According to him, Ukrainian teams develop relevant solutions for wartime needs, and they can be quickly tested. "This intensifies competition for them on the part of investors," Zubenko explains.
Abroad, there are research teams with expertise that Ukrainian developers may lack, Zubenko adds.
Why WildField Ventures invests in foreign startups
WildField Ventures' target size is up to $15 million. WildField Ventures invests in Ukrainian and foreign dual-use startups at the pre-seed and seed stages.
"We can find an interesting idea abroad at an early stage and offer it not only financing but also access to the Ukrainian market. This benefits both sides, because foreign developments need to be adapted to real conditions," says Zubenko.
In October 2026, the fund announced its first investment in the Ukrainian-Estonian startup DoD Solution, which develops hardware and software for onboard artificial intelligence.