Navigating the HIMERA Ecosystem: How Tech Startups Scale Through Strategic Support

Let’s start with your elevator pitch – what does your startup do, and what problem are you solving? 

HIMERA is a developer and manufacturer of communication systems for the Defence Forces. Our solutions are battlefield-ready and are used in the hottest defensive and offensive operations in Ukraine.

Resilient and reliable communications in the Defence forces are the backbone of efficient and successful operations. The current communications solutions for electronic warfare contested battlefield take too long to produce, are outdated, overengineered, and prohibitively expensive. This causes millions of defenders worldwide to use products with commercial specification products or nothing at all. 

Our solution is to use commercial off-the-shelf components to build the most reliable communication system through iteration with battlefield users. As a result, you get a battle-proven communication solution that is the most affordable and scalable on the market. It also has the added value of having great UX, like an intuitive interface, the lightest footprint, and the longest battery life.
 

How did you first hear about the PwC Scale Defence & Resilience Tech Programme, and what motivated you to apply?

We got invited by Brave1. For us at HIMERA, the motivation was clear: to benchmark our progress on secure tactical communications against the most pressing battlefield demands and engage with a broader ecosystem that could accelerate our scale-up journey across Europe. Given the increasingly transnational nature of security, we saw this as an opportunity to connect with key industry players and to position a Ukrainian-led innovation within a pan-European Defence context.

What were your expectations going into the program, and how did the actual experience compare?

We expected focused networking, and some light coaching. We are delighted about what we received – the tailored guidance, strategic matchmaking, and profound engagement from PwC consultants and the other cohort members made this a high-impact experience. It felt like PwC had curated a space where important conversations not only about raising capital, but also about Defence relevance, supply chains, scalability, and integration into NATO-aligned systems could happen. 
 

How did the masterclasses and 1-on-1 expert sessions help you refine your business model or go-to-market strategy?

The sessions helped us map out scenarios for expanding beyond Ukraine. From pricing models tailored to Defence contractors to identifying the right dual-use narratives for civilian applications, these sessions added precision to our GTM efforts. The input from PwC’s legal and strategic experts also helped refine how we think about public procurement and partner frameworks in Europe.
 

What kind of connections did you make during the programme – any standout collaborations or investor interest?

We connected with European integrators looking for communication solutions that are secure, portable, and NATO-compatible. While we’re not disclosing names, we had meaningful follow-up conversations after Innovation Day that are continuing. The most valuable connections, though, were with peer companies — potential collaborators in adjacent domains.

PwC supported you from the invitation stage through to Innovation Day. How did that ongoing support shape your journey?

PwC’s consistent engagement helped us polish our story, streamline our technical messaging, and think through stakeholder alignment. Their team took time to understand our edge in resilient communications and how it fits into larger Defence transformation trends. That long-view support gave us confidence at each step.
 

What was your experience like pitching at Innovation Day? Any key takeaways or outcomes from that exposure?

Innovation Day gave us a rare opportunity to present our vision as a partner in Europe's long-term security architecture. We saw strong interest from European Defence firms and procurement agencies, and the exposure strengthened our visibility as a serious tech provider within NATO and EU Defence dialogues.
 

How has your startup evolved since completing the programme – in terms of product, team, or market traction?

We received excellent opportunities to participate in European Defence Fund consortia with some outstanding EU-based companies. 

What advice would you give to other Ukrainian or regional startups considering applying to a programme like this?

Don’t assume you're too early or too local. Ukrainian Defence startups have deep operational experience, and programs like PwC’s help translate that into European language and systems. Come with humility, but also with clarity on what makes your solution battle-tested and scalable. Be open to redefining how you explain your value, and be ready to listen.
 

How do you see PwC’s role beyond the programme – as a legal advisor, strategic consultant, or something more?

All of the above. PwC's value is in being a bridge between startups and institutional ecosystems. For a Defence startup like ours, that means regulatory advice, investor-readiness, and introductions that have strategic depth. Their understanding of both government procurement and private capital is what makes them uniquely positioned.
 

Looking ahead, what’s next for your startup, and how do you envision PwC being part of that journey?

Our next stage is deepening integration with European partners and expanding exports. We aim to become a foundational layer in Europe’s resilient communications infrastructure. PwC can support us through strategic consulting and due diligence preparation, and also in exploring public-private partnership opportunities and EU funding mechanisms.