DEPO Ventures Invested in Ukrainian Startup Zvook
The investment marks the debut capital deployment from the newly established Ukraine Fund, which targets regional defense innovation.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Startups
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DEPO Ventures has invested an undisclosed amount into Zvook, a Ukrainian defense startup developing AI-powered passive acoustic sensors for target detection. This deal serves as the first deployment of capital from the newly established Ukraine Fund.
Why it matters
The fund seeks to integrate startups from Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia into the Czech innovation ecosystem while fostering skilled employment in the defense sector. This initiative arrives as investment interest in Ukrainian defense technology has surpassed $129 million.
The Ukraine Fund is authorized to provide investment tickets up to $559,000 per company. This effort follows previous DEPO Ventures investments of $1.3 million in Masthead Data and $1.1 million in Talsec.
The players
DEPO Ventures
A venture capital firm based in the Czech Republic that invests in early-stage technology companies.
Zvook
A Ukrainian startup developing AI-based acoustic hardware and software for aerial and underwater target detection.
The details
Zvook designs systems that utilize artificial intelligence and passive acoustic sensors—devices that detect sound waves without emitting a signal—to identify aerial targets. The company is also conducting research into hydrophones for passive underwater acoustic monitoring. The Ukraine Fund, created by National Development Investments and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, manages the selection of innovative regional firms to receive capital.
Timeline
2023: DEPO Ventures invested $1.3 million in Masthead Data.
2024: DEPO Ventures invested $1.1 million in Talsec.
October 2, 2026: The Ukraine Fund was officially announced.
October 12, 2026: DEPO Ventures announced the investment in Zvook.
The Tech Race
The creation of the Ukraine Fund follows a broader trend of institutional backing for startups in Ukraine, where defense technology companies have attracted over $129 million in total investment. This deployment positions the fund to actively compete for early-stage participation in the region's burgeoning defense-tech sector.
The capital allows Zvook to scale its research into acoustic target detection systems. While the investment amount is undisclosed, the fund structure provides a framework for future regional defense-tech startups to seek funding up to $559,000 per company.
The takeaway
The Ukraine Fund provides a concrete mechanism for integrating regional defense innovation into the broader Czech technology ecosystem. Observers should track the fund's milestone of reaching its $6.5 million total volume capacity, which is contingent upon securing specific private capital conditions.
Further reading
For more on the current investment landscape for early-stage companies, visit Startups.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KyivPost.
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