Ukrainian-Estonian drone startup Black Forest Systems has secured $400,000 in investment from Swedish firms Front Ventures and Hede Capital Partners. Founded in 2024, the company develops unmanned systems for infantry and special forces operating on front-line positions.
The startup’s flagship product, the SHADOX UAV, is a compact, protected reconnaissance drone designed for rapid deployment and operations in close-range environments. Its reinforced propellers allow flights inside buildings and trenches, while the self-stabilizing system requires less than 30 minutes of user training. The drone is operated via a proprietary control console and uses low-detection encrypted communications suitable for electronic warfare conditions.
The investment will be used to industrialize SHADOX, covering engineering refinements, production readiness, and structured military deployment. The collaboration strengthens the company’s ability to scale tactical UAVs for infantry and special operations while maintaining simplicity, autonomy, and resilience in field conditions.