Offset Labs Raises Pre-Seed Funding to Build UK–Ukrainian AI Defence Lab
The Kyiv–London startup, founded by three Ukrainian engineers, aims to create Europe’s first dedicated AI lab for defence and national security.
KYIV, Ukraine — 4 September 2025
Offset Labs, a UK–Ukrainian startup, has raised €600,000 in a pre-seed round led by Archangel Ventures with participation from Amadeus Capital Partners and Seven Capital. The company, formerly known as Byne, had previously secured €330,000 from angel investors and is now positioning itself as Europe’s first dedicated AI lab for defence and national security.
The founders — Borys Nadykto, Denys Budnyk, and Andrii Yakovyna — are building a binational team between London and Kyiv. Nadykto, a former AI scientist at Amazon and Twitch, now serves as CEO. Budnyk brings experience from Volkswagen Group, while Yakovyna worked at EPAM Systems and Itemis. The team has already designed and deployed AI models for signal and voice processing in operational environments, giving them rare practical experience among European defence startups.
Offset Labs said its mission is “to build the first AI Lab creating frontier models specifically tailored to the needs of defence and national security customers,” adding that uniting talent, data, and computing “under one roof” is required to deliver a “ChatGPT moment” for defence AI.
The company takes its name from Cold War–era “offset strategies” — deliberate technological leaps designed to secure decisive military advantages. While defence AI remains fragmented across academia, small companies, and manufacturers, Offset Labs aims to unify data curation, research, and deployment under one roof.
Investors framed the deal as part of a broader push for European defence technology. Nicholas Nelson, general partner at Archangel Ventures, said Offset Labs was founded “to build Europe’s definitive Defence and National Security AI Lab.” Andriy Kolodyuk, founder of Seven Capital, called it “a milestone not only for the company but for the future of AI in defence.”
“Our goal is ambitious,” Nadykto wrote. “It’s also going to be the first lab with a strong Ukrainian presence,” reflecting a model that draws on both London’s ecosystem and Kyiv’s frontline experience. The investment also highlights Europe’s determination to compete with American and Chinese firms in defence AI.
Offset Labs currently focuses on AI models for signal and voice processing, with plans to expand into other mission-critical applications. The new funding will support team growth and infrastructure to scale these systems for defence customers.
