Company: Origin
Founder: Agris Kipurs, Ilya Nevdah
Website: https://origin-robotics.com/
About Origin
Origin is a Riga-based defence tech startup that specializes in advanced autonomous systems, mainly focusing on airborne precision-guided weapons. The company was founded in 2022 amidst the Russian invasion of Ukraine by Ilya Nevdah and Agris Kipurs, who had previously successfully exited a consumer-market drone startup Airdog in 2020.
Origin’s flagship product, the BEAK, is a versatile, multi-purpose system with an extended range and a reduced acoustic signature. It is a man-portable ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) drone equipped with precision guidance technology, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional systems. This was achieved by retaining valuable components on a reusable carrier vehicle rather than embedding them in disposable projectiles.
The BEAK enables precision strikes and autonomous functionality even in environments with strong electronic warfare interference, ensuring continued operation and safe return if communication is lost. The system collapses into a compact transportation case and can be assembled for flight in under five minutes without tools—all at a price point significantly below industry standards. Think of it as a flying Javelin missile—a combination of targeting system and munitions—but with the added benefits of reusability and affordability.
Origin has already secured commercial agreements with two NATO countries, and the BEAK is being shipped to Ukraine under the Drone Coalition framework. The company also participated in a NATO experiment in Latvia this October, where they showcased the ability to operate their system remotely over a 5G network.
To date, Origin has raised €4 million in funding, including equity investments from Change Ventures and Silicon Roundabout Ventures, as well as €1.7 million in EU grants.
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