Esh-Tech Raises $18 Million to Accelerate Deployment of its DroneLight C-UAS Solution
AI Analysis
Esh-Tech, an Israeli developer of laser-based counter-UAS technology, has secured $18 million in funding led by Kinetica Partners to scale production and expand internationally. The funding will support the deployment of their 'DroneLight' system, a pulsed-laser C-UAS solution, following successful testing and initial orders. Expansion will focus on European and US markets.
Key Takeaways
- Esh-Tech raised $18 million in a funding round led by Kinetica Partners.
- The investment will fund production scale-up, product completion, and international expansion, particularly into Europe and the US.
- DroneLight is a pulsed-laser C-UAS system designed to counter drones and swarms.
- Esh-Tech has already received 'significant orders' from customers globally and demonstrated operational testing.
- Kinetica Partners is a defense-tech VC fund with strong ties to Israeli intelligence and a portfolio focused on relevant technologies (AI, EW, unmanned systems).
Why It Matters
This funding signals growing investor confidence in directed-energy (laser) C-UAS technologies as a viable solution to the increasing drone threat. Esh-Tech's focus on scalability and international expansion indicates a potential shift towards more widespread deployment of laser-based defense systems, particularly for critical infrastructure and military applications. The involvement of Kinetica, with its defense and intelligence connections, suggests strong potential for rapid adoption within security forces.
Funding will support production scale-up, product completion and international expansion. Joining lead investor Kinetica in the round were Mahari, Renaton Capital, Q Fund, 2i Ventures, Hinkley, FFG, and a number of angel investors
Esh-Tech, developer of advanced laser-based defense technologies, announced today that it has raised $18 million in a funding round led by Kinetica Partners.
The investment follows the recent launch of Esh-Tech’s DroneLight counter-drone system at Eurosatory 2026 and will support the establishment of an Israeli production line, completion of development activities, recruitment of additional personnel, and expansion of global sales and delivery operations to support growing customer demand.
The fundraising follows several key milestones achieved by Esh-Tech, including the development of a unique pulsed-laser counter-drone technology, successful operational testing under real-world conditions, and the receipt of significant orders from customers worldwide.
Joining lead investor Kinetica in the round were Mahari, Renaton Capital, Q Fund, 2i Ventures, Hinkley, FFG, and a number of angel investors, with meaningful participation from the Israel Innovation Authority. “This investment marks an important milestone for Esh-Tech as we move from development to large-scale deployment,” said Erez Riahi, CEO of Esh-Tech. “The confidence shown by investors from leading global markets is a strong validation of our technology and its ability to address one of the most significant challenges facing modern armed forces. Building on the momentum generated at Eurosatory, we are accelerating our international expansion – deepening our presence in key markets while strengthening local capabilities and partnerships on the ground.
We are fully focused on bringing DroneLight into operational service and delivering meaningful impact where it matters most.”
“Our investment in Esh-Tech reflects our commitment to supporting breakthrough technologies that have the potential to redefine their market,” said Frederic Landau, General Partner at Kinetica ventures. “Esh-Tech combines deep expertise in lasertechnologies with a strong understanding of operational requirements, resulting in a solution that addresses a critical and rapidly evolving challenge. Beyond the investment itself, we look forward to working closely with Esh-Tech to accelerate its growth, support its entry into the European, U.S. and other markets, leveraging our industry expertise, operational experience and network of strategic partners to help scale the business internationally”.
Esh-Tech develops advanced innovative laser-based defense technologies designed to provide agile, scalable, and operationally proven solutions for modern security challenges.
The company’s flagship DroneLight system is a pulsed-laser C-UAS solution designed to provide rapid, cost-effective protection against drones and drone swarms.
Kinetica ventures is a defense-tech VC fund managed by entrepreneurs Aaron Applbaum and Yoav Knoll, Frederic Landau and Brig. Gen. (res.) Amit Kunik, a former senior commander in Israel’s intelligence community. The fund is chaired by YitzApplbaum, a veteran entrepreneur and investor with decades of experience in the U.S. and Israel, and a co-founder of Lightspeed Israel. The fund has attracted international strategic investors and has led investments in several companies, including Particle,Line5, and Limitless CNC. It focuses on early-stage Israeli startups from pre-seed through Series A, operating in areas such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, unmanned systems, and space.
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