Frankenburg Technologies Secures €30M to Bolster European Missile Production

Tallinn-based Frankenburg Technologies, a European missile defense startup, has raised €30 million in Series A funding to expand its capacity for affordable, mass-manufacturable missile systems. The funding, led by Plural and followed by SmartCap, brings the company’s total funding to €40 million [1]. This investment aims to address Europe’s growing need for air defense capabilities and reduce reliance on external suppliers.

Addressing Europe’s Air Defense Bottleneck

Founded in 2024 by Taavi Madiberk and Marko Virkebau, Frankenburg Technologies was created in response to the increasing prevalence of low-cost aerial threats, including drones, and the challenges of scaling traditional missile manufacturing [1]. The company focuses on producing interceptors at speed and scale, aiming to restore sustainable economics to air defense through mass production and sovereign manufacturing.

Expansion Plans and Production Capacity

The €30 million in Series A funding will be used to establish multi-site missile production facilities, primarily in the UK and Germany [1]. A key goal is to create two production plants within the European Union, each designed to produce at least 100 missiles per day [4]. Additional funds will be allocated to securing long-term component supplies, developing missile engine and warhead production within Europe, and expanding development centers in Great Britain and Germany [1].

A “SpaceX-Style” Approach to Missile Production

Frankenburg Technologies aims to revolutionize the European missile industry by adopting a “SpaceX-style” approach – prioritizing speed, cost-effectiveness, and scalability [2]. Founder and Chairman Taavi Madiberk emphasizes the need for Europe to end its reliance on external security capabilities and build a strong, independent defense industry [2]. The company’s Mark I missile system has already progressed from concept to field trials and preparation for industrial production within 13 months [1].

Operational Footprint and Key Personnel

Frankenburg Technologies currently operates across eight European countries, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Great Britain, Denmark, Poland, and Ukraine [1]. The company’s leadership includes CEO Kusti Salm, former Permanent Secretary of Estonia’s Ministry of Defence, and a team of experienced missile engineers and defense industry professionals with backgrounds in programs such as IRIS-T, SPEAR3, Storm Shadow, and Brimstone [1]. Former commander of the Estonian Defence Forces Martins Herem and his former deputy Veiko Vello Palms are too part of the team [4].

Focus on Counter-Drone Technology

While the company plans to expand its product portfolio, its initial focus is on developing counter-drone missiles, particularly those designed to neutralize systems like the Russian-made Shahed drones [3]. The Mark I system is a short-range, surface-to-air missile designed to effectively combat unmanned aerial vehicles at distances of up to two kilometers [3].