Israel's Second Wave of Defense-Tech Founders: Xtend, Robotican, UVision

Edited on Jun 24, 2026.

Line5, Smart Shooter, D-Fend Solutions, and Sentrycs anchored Israel's first post-2020 defense-tech wave. The second wave is now visible: Xtend, Robotican, SpearUAV, Skylock, Carbyne, ASIO, IRP Systems, and UVision — driven by post-October 7 demand, the Sovereignty Doctrine, MAFAT's expanded startup integration, and a returnee cohort of post-exit founders building third-act companies. The cohort now operating at Series A scale or above runs into the dozens.

The Second Wave — at a glance

First wave (2020–2023) — Line5, Smart Shooter, D-Fend Solutions, Sentrycs.
Second wave (2024–2026) — Xtend, Robotican, SpearUAV, Skylock Systems, Carbyne, ASIO Technologies, IRP Systems, UVision.
Three structural patterns — Cross-pollination with commercial tech · Dual-use product structures · MAFAT integration from day one.
Specialist Israeli defense-tech VCs — Cyberstarts (defense crossover), Hetz Ventures, Disruptive AI, Awz Ventures.
International defense-tech capital — Shield Capital, Snowpoint Ventures, Founders Fund (Carbyne), and the broader U.S. defense-tech VC cohort.
Strategic acquirers in pipeline — Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, L3Harris on the prime side. Anduril, Shield AI, Palantir on the new-defense side.
Headline trajectory — At least one second-wave company expected to reach unicorn-scale private valuation before year-end 2026.

The Defining Characteristics

One — cross-pollination with the commercial tech sector. Multiple second-wave founders previously built or exited commercial cyber, AI, or robotics companies before pivoting into defense. The Returnee Cohort overlaps substantially with second-wave defense founders.

Two — dual-use product structures. Most second-wave companies position for both defense and commercial buyers. Counter-UAS technology that protects an airport sells to civilian aviation and to military bases. AI tactical fire-control software designed for IDF squads scales into commercial security applications. This is a structural feature, not a marketing strategy.

Three — MAFAT integration from day one. The Defense Ministry's Directorate of Defense R&D (MAFAT/DDR&D) now participates in second-wave seed and Series A capital structures at materially higher rates than a decade ago.

The Cohort

Xtend — Tactical indoor/outdoor drones for police, military, and SOF customers. Publicly reported U.S. SOCOM and IDF deployments. Backed by Chartered Group, IDC Venture, and other investors.

Robotican — Counter-UAS interceptor-drone platforms. Adopted by multiple Western military programs.

SpearUAV — Encapsulated launched-effect drone systems for tactical reconnaissance and engagement. Integrated into multiple Western military programs.

Skylock Systems — Multi-layered counter-drone defense. Deployed in airport and critical-infrastructure protection programs internationally.

Carbyne — Critical-communications platform spanning public safety and defense. Backed by Founders Fund and other investors.

ASIO Technologies — Optical sighting and fire-control. Integrated across multiple infantry-weapon platforms. Now also signed as an Anduril Industries component supplier (see Anduril Bets On Israel).

IRP Systems — Electric propulsion for tactical vehicles. Dual-use posture.

UVision — Loitering munitions; the Hero family of platforms adopted by multiple Western militaries.

Adjacent companies operate at the ISR, automotive-defense crossover, and simulation layers.

The Capital Structure

The Israeli defense-tech venture market raised substantially more capital in 2024 and 2025 than in any prior period. Specialist defense-tech VCs have emerged — dedicated funds at Cyberstarts (with defense crossover), Hetz Ventures, Disruptive AI, Awz Ventures, and adjacent firms. International defense-tech funds — Shield Capital, Snowpoint Ventures, and the broader U.S. defense-tech VC cohort — operate active Israeli portfolios.

The structural conclusion: the Israeli defense-tech venture market now exists as a separately-priced asset class, distinct from the commercial Israeli tech market that anchored the prior decade.

What Comes Next

One — at least one second-wave Israeli defense-tech company is likely to reach unicorn-scale private valuation before year-end 2026.

Two — strategic acquisitions by the U.S. defense primes (Lockheed, RTX, Northrop, General Dynamics, L3Harris) and by the U.S. new-defense leaders (Anduril, Shield AI, Palantir) are actively in pipeline. Anduril's February 2026 DDR&D-organized visit and subsequent supplier signing with ASIO is the leading case.

Three — the line between second-wave defense-tech and commercial cyber will continue to blur, as the same operator pipeline staffs both sides.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the second wave of Israeli defense-tech founders?

The cohort of Israeli defense-tech companies that came up after the first wave (Line5, Smart Shooter, D-Fend, Sentrycs) — Xtend, Robotican, SpearUAV, Skylock, Carbyne, ASIO, IRP Systems, UVision, and adjacent companies — driven by post-October 7 demand, the Sovereignty Doctrine, expanded MAFAT integration, and a returnee cohort of post-exit founders building third-act defense companies.

What makes the second wave structurally different from the first?

Three patterns. Cross-pollination with commercial tech (commercial-cyber and AI veterans pivoting into defense). Dual-use product structures (the same product serves civilian and military buyers). And MAFAT integration from day one — DDR&D participation in seed and Series A rounds at materially higher rates than a decade ago.

Which VCs are active in Israeli defense-tech?

Specialist Israeli funds: Cyberstarts (with defense crossover), Hetz Ventures, Disruptive AI, Awz Ventures. Major international defense-tech funds with active Israeli portfolios: Shield Capital, Snowpoint Ventures, Founders Fund, and the broader U.S. defense-tech VC cohort.

Will any of these companies become unicorns?

At least one second-wave Israeli defense-tech company is expected to reach unicorn-scale private valuation before year-end 2026. Heven AeroTech became Israel's first defense-tech unicorn in the prior cycle — see Heven AeroTech.

How is Anduril's arrival in Israel connected?

Anduril's February 2026 Tel Aviv visit was organized by DDR&D (MAFAT), which introduced founder Palmer Luckey to ten Israeli defense-tech startups including Smart Shooter, Kela, Oz, Skana Robotics, Regulus, Magnus Metal, eyesAtop, AriEV, ASIO, and LiteVision. ASIO has since signed as an Anduril supplier; LiteVision is under investment review. See Anduril Bets On Israel.

Israel's Second Wave of Defense-Tech Founders: Xtend, Robotican, SpearUAV, UVision