New funding fuels AirHub’s defense drone ambitions

AirHub is doubling down on a future where drones aren’t just tools; they’re part of the operational backbone for security, defense, and critical infrastructure. And with fresh funding in hand, the European company is making a serious push to lead that transformation.

The drone software firm has secured €4.4 million (roughly $4.8 million) in a Series A round, backed by Keen Venture Partners, RunwayFBU, Lumaux, and LUMO Labs. The goal? Scale its platform and position itself as Europe’s go-to software layer for mission-critical drone operations.

At the center of AirHub’s offering is its Drone Operations Center — a platform designed to do a lot more than just fly drones. It lets organizations plan missions, operate drones in real time, monitor live video feeds, and manage everything from compliance to reporting. In simple terms, it turns drones from standalone gadgets into fully integrated operational systems.

And that shift is happening fast. Across industries like public safety, defense, and infrastructure, drones are increasingly being used in high-stakes scenarios — think real-time incident response, border security, or inspecting critical assets like pipelines and rail networks. But as drone usage grows, so does the need for software that can handle complexity, coordination, and security at scale.

That’s where AirHub sees its opportunity. The company is leaning into a major trend in Europe: digital sovereignty. Governments and organizations are placing more emphasis on using locally built, trusted technology, especially when it comes to sensitive operations involving data, security, and national infrastructure. AirHub, as a European player, is positioning itself as a key piece of that puzzle.

And it’s not just talk; the company already has traction. AirHub’s software is currently used by a range of high-profile organizations, including Dubai Police, the Belgian Federal Police, Dutch Customs, and major private-sector players like Shell and Securitas. These teams rely on the platform for applications like Drone as First Responder (DFR), infrastructure inspection, and coordinated security operations.

With the new funding, AirHub plans to expand its international team and further develop its platform. That includes growing two specialized offerings: MilHub, focused on defense applications, and SecHub, aimed at broader security use cases, including counter-drone operations.

That last piece is especially notable. As drones become more common, so do concerns about rogue or unauthorized drones. SecHub is designed to help organizations detect, manage, and respond to those threats — an area that’s quickly becoming a priority worldwide.

AirHub’s leadership says the mission is simple: build software that works when it matters most.

Co-CEO Thomas Brinkman emphasizes the need for secure, scalable solutions that allow organizations to operate drones effectively in high-pressure environments. His co-CEO, Stephan van Vuren, echoes that sentiment, pointing out that their customers are dealing with real-world risks and need systems they can rely on without fail.

Investors seem to agree. Keen Venture Partners highlights AirHub’s strong positioning in a rapidly evolving European defense and security landscape, while RunwayFBU points to its potential in critical infrastructure and industrial environments.

“There is a clear and growing need for trusted, European-built solutions, and AirHub is well-positioned to meet that demand. The combination of strong technical development and proven use in high-stakes environments, both nationally and internationally, gives us confidence they will continue to set the standard for mission-critical drone operations across Europe and beyond,” says Andy Lürling, founding partner LUMO Labs.

All signs suggest that AirHub is stepping into a pivotal moment. As drones move deeper into everyday operations — and as governments push for more control over their technology stack — software platforms like AirHub’s could become just as important as the drones themselves.

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