German defence technology startup SE3 Labs has raised $30 million (£23 million) in Series A funding to expand its spatial intelligence software for military drones and unmanned ground vehicles, just five months after emerging from stealth.
The round was led by Accel, with participation from Keen, Lakestar, and Seedcamp. It follows an earlier €5.5 million investment in June, when the Munich-based company first disclosed its work with Germany’s Bundeswehr and Ukrainian forces.
SE3 develops AI software that allows autonomous systems to understand their surroundings, navigate difficult terrain, and coordinate with other vehicles. Its technology combines computer vision with sensor data to build a shared three-dimensional picture of the battlefield, allowing drones and ground vehicles from different manufacturers to operate together.
SE3’s software can operate without GPS, which is particularly important in Ukraine, where Russian electronic warfare frequently jams satellite signals. It runs directly on the vehicles rather than relying on a cloud connection, and allows operators to control multiple systems using voice commands.
SE3 says it has shipped thousands of systems over the past two years and is working on multiple contracts with the Bundeswehr and Ukraine. Its partners include German defence electronics manufacturer HENSOLDT, autonomous systems specialist Auterion, and aircraft developer ERC System.
SE3 was founded by CEO Lukas Köstler, CTO Simon Klenk, and chief science officer Professor Daniel Cremers. The company spun out of the Technical University of Munich’s computer vision laboratory, where Köstler and Klenk were pursuing PhDs in computer vision and robotics.
SE3 plans to use the funding to hire more engineers and commercial staff as it takes on further military contracts. It is also preparing to open an office in the UK and expand its operations in Germany and Ukraine.
“Working in defence means our technology has to deliver under pressure in the field,” said Köstler. “We keep that responsibility front of mind in everything we do, working closely with the people who rely on our systems when it matters.”
SE3 is positioning itself as an independent software supplier rather than a manufacturer of military hardware, betting that European armed forces will increasingly favour systems that can work across different platforms and suppliers.
Defence will remain its immediate priority, although the company plans to explore civilian robotics and emergency response applications from 2027.
