Estonian startup Wayren raises €7.9 million to develop an innovative communications system for the soldier of the future 

Estonian startup Wayren, founded by former cyber defence experts, has signed a €7.9 million strategic investment agreement with EFA GROUP, one of the world’s leading defence industry conglomerates. The goal is to jointly develop next-generation high-tech digital battlefield systems that connect soldiers, drones, vehicles, and weapons into an integrated situational awareness solution. Wayren has previously received funding from Prototron, graduated from the Tehnopol Startup Incubator, and is currently part of the NATO DIANA accelerator programme in Estonia. 

“Today’s battlefield is a complex and dynamic environment where singular equipment and training alone are no longer enough. To gain a decisive edge, digitalisation is essential – enabling real-time data collection, processing, and sharing, which significantly accelerates decision-making. Most current tactical communication systems struggle in extreme conditions as they’re not reliable enough for last-mile environments. Our systems are built to function even when everything else fails,” said Henry Härm, CEO and co-founder of Wayren. 

Wayren’s proprietary Singularity communication platform enables resilient communication between soldiers, command units, and various platforms under demanding battlefield conditions. The patented system establishes a reliable hybrid mesh network to connect units, vehicles, and command posts, synchronising data simultaneously via any available civil or military communication technologies – such as mobile, satellite, or radio networks. 

A central role in this strategic partnership between the two defence innovators is played by SCYTALYS, a member of the EFA GROUP. SCYTALYS develops advanced, modular, and interoperable battle management systems designed to meet the complex multi-domain challenges of modern armed forces. 

According to George Menexis, CEO of SCYTALYS, this collaboration sets a new benchmark for fully interoperable and flexible multi-domain operational capabilities. 

“Our proven Mission Information and Management System (MIMS), combined with Wayren’s resilient frontline communication innovation, delivers next-generation connectivity and coordination capabilities for today’s network-centric operations. The Common Operational Picture (COP) remains continuously synchronised across all connected forces, built on a robust communications architecture that maintains operational continuity, even in degraded environments. By integrating THEON International’s cutting-edge night vision and augmented reality technologies, we ensure comprehensive situational awareness and tactical superiority for deployed units,” Menexis explained. 

Wayren’s platform forms the backbone of the modern battlefield – from sensors to AI-powered analytics and situational awareness systems. The solution ensures that critical data reaches its destination even in heavily disrupted, low-bandwidth, or unstable network environments. 

The system has already been delivered as a pilot project to the Estonian Defence League and is currently being actively tested by both the Estonian Defence Forces and the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 

“Close cooperation with the defence forces has allowed us to significantly improve the usability and reliability of the system in real combat conditions. Their valuable feedback, combined with our extensive testing, gives us confidence that the product is ready for full-scale deployment and government procurement. Estonia and Ukraine are our first key customers,” explained Henry Härm. 

In addition to its military applications, Wayren sees considerable potential for its Singularity communication platform in civilian sectors. In the future, this could even become the company’s main business focus. The technology can enhance operational efficiency and situational awareness in mission-critical fields such as mining, law enforcement, rescue services, industry, and more. 

Wayren was founded five years ago by three former cyber defence officers – Henry Härm, Oliver Tiit, and Tarmo Ai. Full-scale development began in 2022 when the company received development support from the Estonian Ministry of Defence. Funding has also been provided by the European Defence Fund. In 2023, the company raised €725,000 from private investors to support the development and testing of the pilot project. The investment round was led by BSV Ventures, with participation from DEPO Ventures and several angel investors, including Taavi Veskimägi, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Estonian Defence Industry Association. Wayren was also recently selected for the NATO DIANA accelerator programme in Estonia. 

EFA GROUP is a global aerospace, security, defence, and industrial cooperation group headquartered in Athens. SCYTALYS, founded in Greece in 1993 and part of EFA GROUP, specialises in the development of mission-critical software and systems integration. Its key partner is THEON International, one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers of night vision, thermal imaging, and augmented reality systems. Together, they are pioneering solutions for the “soldier of the future.”