Defence Innovation Podcast Defense VC: Why Silicon Valley is Missing the $100M Opportunity in Ukraine - With Deborah Fairlamb
Jan 28, 2026
Deborah Fairlamb, co-founding partner of Green Flag Ventures and former Wall Street finance pro turned Ukraine tech investor. She discusses how Ukrainian startups pivoted to defense after 2022. Conversations cover drones and unmanned systems, electronic warfare, frontline rapid R&D and repair workshops, procurement speed and decentralization, and rising VC interest in Ukrainian defense tech.
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Civilian Tech Pivot Created Ukraine's Defense Pipeline
- Ukraine's civilian tech sector (fintech, SaaS) pivoted rapidly to defense after the 2022 invasion, creating a unique pipeline of military-relevant innovation.
- Deborah Fairlamb launched Green Flag Ventures to invest in Ukrainian-founded defense tech and connect startups to Western markets and expertise.
Connect Proven Ukrainian Tech To Western Buyers
- Do connect Ukrainian defense startups to Western procurement and MOD expertise because products proven in Ukraine have clear applicability to NATO and allied forces.
- Green Flag partners with NATO, RUSI, NASA and U.S. DoD experts to validate market fit for Western systems.
Drones Expanded From Land To Sea And Underwater
- Drone warfare is multi-domain: Ukrainians adapted land drone tactics to sea and underwater drones, striking Russian ships and reopening shipping lanes.
- Examples include sea drones launching FPVs, missiles, and stealth underwater drones hitting ports.