Rakuten Group, Inc. and Brave1, a Ukrainian government institution supporting defense technology innovation, has announced a joint initiative to explore various support for Ukrainian startups, including potential collaboration with the Japanese government and other partners.
As part of this initiative, Rakuten will power Brave1’s booth exhibition at DSEI Japan, the country’s only large-scale defense and security trade show, taking place May 21-23, 2025, at Makuhari Messe. The exhibition will feature cutting-edge technologies and products from Ukrainian startups, with Rakuten aiming to assist their entry into the Japanese market.
Rakuten Group’s mission is to contribute to society by creating value through innovation and entrepreneurship. Recently, innovation in civilian technology is rapidly transforming the defense landscape worldwide. As a global technology leader founded in Japan, Rakuten is uniquely positioned to connect these civilian advancements with the Japanese defense industry. This collaboration with Brave1 underscores Rakuten’s support for Ukraine and its commitment to boosting the country’s resilience and prosperity.
At the “Brave1 Powered by Rakuten” booth, attendees will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the advanced technologies and products developed by six Brave1-supported startups. Many have gained extensive practical experience in Ukraine, particularly in areas such as UAVs, MedTech, digital twinning and more.
The booth will showcase innovations from the following Ukrainian startups:
Dwarf Engineering LLC: Specializes in resilient software and hardware systems for next-generation combat drones.
FarsightVision LLC: Delivers AI-powered geospatial intelligence for defense and security.
Griselda: A defense-tech platform delivering real-time situational awareness and rapid response capabilities.
LifesaverSIM: Transforming gaming into a powerful tool for enabling first responders to learn, practice and retain lifesaving skills.
Skyfall Industries LLC: The largest UAV (unmanned aircraft vehicle) manufacturer in Ukraine, known for its widely used Vampire and Shrike drones.
Swarmer: Developer of a software system enabling drones to operate autonomously in large, coordinated teams.
Rakuten has provided consistent support to Ukraine throughout the war and demonstrated a commitment to its people, economy and post-war reconstruction. Rakuten already has a significant presence in Ukraine, with Rakuten Viber boasting a 98% penetration rate. In January 2024, Rakuten announced the establishment of a new office in Kyiv.
