Вікторія Горбік War 21 March 2025, 09:00

"Unfortunately, we have not yet received a government order. However, we were able to deliver over 6,000 of our walkie-talkies to the Defense Forces." Blitz interview with the co-founder of Himera communication systems

Defense technology startup Himera, founded in 2022 after the start of the full-scale invasion by aerospace entrepreneurs Misha Rudominsky and Oleksiy Oliynyk, is developing dynamically. It recently became known that it sold its tactical radios abroad for the first time to the US Air Force. In addition, on March 19, the startup presented a tactical communication system in Kyiv.

dev.ua learned from Misha Rudominsky about the new development, and also asked about scaling production, distribution and partnerships with foreign companies, as well as the company’s plans for the future.

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Himera was founded by Mykhailo Rudominsky and Oleksiy Oliynyk in 2022. In March 2024, the team consisted of two dozen people.

During the INSCIENCE CONFERENCE, held in June 2023 in Kyiv, the developers presented a system for communication and coordination of unit actions based on a protected digital tactical radio — HIMERA G1 HANDHELD RADIO.

Tell us about the presentation of the HIMERA tactical communications system that was held the other day in Kyiv.

The other day, we presented to the wider community the operation of the HIMERA tactical communications system in conditions close to combat and its integration with situational awareness systems.

We aimed to share the achievements of the tactical communications system:

high quality simultaneous transmission of voice and data — GPS coordinates, messages, and marks for display in the Combat Vision 4.0 and Kropyva situational awareness systems;
the ability to communicate with radio stations installed on mobile objects (BMP);
high performance in conditions of simultaneous use of a large number of radio devices (27 users, 4 tablets);
uninterrupted operation of the tactical system under the sighting of an electronic warfare device at a distance of 5 km;
communication with the group via G1 PRO radio at a distance of 55 km under ideal conditions, with direct visibility of the B1 repeater, raised 250 m.

Misha Rudominsky, co-founder of HIMERA (Photo provided by the press service)

Tell us about the product line currently available at HIMERA

We have created an ecosystem where each product supports all advanced features for low probability of detection, interception and suppression (AES-256 encryption, mesh/MANET network configuration, pseudo-random operating frequency reconfiguration).

G1 PRO portable radio station — 48+ hours of battery life;
Autonomous repeater B1 — ready to use immediately;
E1 Internet connection extender — has high bandwidth in the most difficult terrain;
R1 repeater with internet relay capability — wireless configuration of the entire network.

We actively supply G1 PRO radios to the military, receive feedback from the military, and actively improve the line.

Why did you decide to present the new system now?

We offer a comprehensive solution, a tactical communication system not only for small groups and detachments, but also for brigade level. The HIMERA team is doing everything possible to provide the Ukrainian Defense Forces with high-quality secure communications, developed and manufactured in Ukraine.

In September 2024, you predicted that within a few months the startup would increase production at least several times or even dozens of times. Did HIMERA manage to scale and to what extent?

We were able to scale production, including introducing the flagship product G1 PRO (an updated version of G1) and 3 new products (B1, R1, E1).

Unfortunately, we have not yet received a government order. However, we were able to deliver over 6,000 of our radios to the Defense Forces.

We currently produce thousands of walkie-talkies per month, but we are ready to scale and grow rapidly in the future.

In February, it became known that HIMERA joined forces with Quantropi, a company working on quantum-secure data protection. As part of the partnership, HIMERA received the opportunity to enter the US and Canadian markets with its developments, as well as the right to promote in certain NATO and allied markets. Tell us, have you managed to make any deliveries to date?

We are currently actively working with partners to attract new customers and cannot share details yet.

Thanks to the collaboration with Quantropi Inc., the entire product line (walkie-talkies, repeaters, internet extension) will receive quantum-secure encryption, including that already transferred to the military. This will be available with a firmware update.

Back in April last year, HIMERA announced that the company had entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Reticulate Micro, an American defense technology company that provides reliable and resilient communications. What is the current stage of cooperation between the two companies?

This collaboration is no longer relevant. The exclusive distributor of products in the USA and Canada is Quantropi Inc.

Tell us how much has been invested in the startup so far, where the funds raised have been directed. Is HIMERA planning the next round of investments, if so, in what volume and where do they plan to direct the invested funds?

We have now raised over $1.2 million. And an investment round is currently underway.

The two main areas in which HIMERA invests are the development of the product line within our communication system and business development in Ukraine and the world.

The investments we receive from our investors allow us to deliver the most relevant and advanced tactical communication systems to the Ukrainian Defense Forces, while keeping them as accessible as possible. Each additional radio is an opportunity for our defenders to receive critically important information for them at the most difficult moment. This really prolongs the lives of the military and allows them to be much more effective.

Certificate of publicly announced investments

The company raised $150,000 in the second round of investment from the Ukrainian angel club United Angels Network. Together with the previous round in February 2024, United Angels Network had already invested $375,000 in HIMERA. In total, the startup then received a new investment of $525,000 exclusively from angels. Previously, HIMERA received $100,000 in investment from the German fund Freedom Fund VC. In addition, in November 2024, the defense-tech fund Nezlamni, from the co-founders of Uklon, also invested in HIMERA, the amount was not disclosed at the time, but it was noted that it was within the limits of the fund’s standard check — from $100,000 to $400,000.

Last year, you announced a major task for 2024 — to move from the level of radio stations to a full-fledged communication system. Tell me, have you managed to implement these plans? To what extent and what ambitious intentions does the company have for the current year?

We are actively working on this. In particular, in January we announced a product line, and at the presentation we were able to share some of its results.

This year, we continue to work on developing and improving our product line — a tactical communications ecosystem, expanding our user base in Ukraine and abroad. We are also actively seeking new partnerships and planning to enter new geographies.

Read the country's main IT news in our Telegram

Ukrainian startup Himera sold its tactical radios abroad for the first time

HIMERA has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with quantum-safe technology expert Quantropi

Angel club United Angels Network invested $150,000 in Ukrainian miltech startup HIMERA

HIMERA has introduced new products in the secure communication line. What are these developments