BlinkTroll, a defence technology startup based in Odense and founded by two former Norwegian soldiers, has secured €1.5 million in pre-seed funding to advance its autonomous moving target systems for military training. The funding round was led by a private Norwegian family office and Final Frontier, a Nordic venture capital fund focused on space and defence.
Established in 2022, BlinkTroll develops wire-based, mobile target systems designed to simulate unpredictable threats, aiming to improve combat training outcomes. The systems are intended to increase realism in training scenarios and have reportedly led to an increase in hit accuracy to 80% against fast-moving targets, based on data from live-fire exercises in Europe. The technology is aimed at enhancing the operational readiness of NATO forces and is designed with accessibility and simplicity in mind.
The company plans to use the capital to scale production, develop additional product features, and broaden its presence within European defence markets. The investment also marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between BlinkTroll and its Nordic backers, who share a stated goal of supporting NATO allies and defence operations in Ukraine.
Representatives from both BlinkTroll and the investing bodies cited the alignment of regional innovation and defence needs as a driving factor behind the funding. The investment was also framed as a signal of increasing institutional interest in European defence startups, particularly in regions like Odense with established expertise in robotics and dual-use technology.
