The founders of the iconic action-sports drone Airdog have pivoted to the defense sector, unveiling a new precision-strike drone designed to address the tactical requirements of modern warfare. Through their new venture, Origin, the team aims to provide smaller nations with advanced, cost-effective defense capabilities.
A Strategic Shift for Modern Defense
According to co-founder Agris Kipurs, the new BEAK drone is engineered specifically for smaller countries that need to modernize their defense strategies. “Latvia and every small democracy across the world desperately needs the tech community to get behind the mission. They realize that they can no longer afford warfare the old-fashioned way,” Kipurs stated.
Financial Backing and Scaling Operations
Origin has secured €4 million in total funding to accelerate the development of its defense technology. This includes a €2.4 million early-stage round led by Change Ventures, with participation from Silicon Roundabout Ventures. Furthermore, the company has bolstered its resources with €1.6 million in EU grants and direct support from the Latvian Ministry of Defence.
Why Investors Are Betting on Origin
Andris K. Berzins, a partner at Change Ventures, emphasized that the team’s background sets them apart from recent market entrants. “Having known Agris and Ilya for a decade through their successful launch of the world’s leading action sports drone Airdog, I knew this team is unlike the many that have started learning how to build a drone startup only since the Ukraine invasion two years ago,” said Berzins.
Berzins noted that the combination of their proven technical expertise, an ambitious vision to reshape the precision weapons market, and significant operational traction over the past 18 months made backing Origin a strategic priority.
