Hadean to expand command-and-control battlefield training using spatial computing and AI
This article covers Hadean, a defence startup, which has closed a growth funding round of £2m from investors including British Business Bank, Booz Allen Ventures, Entrepreneur First and Twin Track Ventures. The funding will be used to expand its spatial computing and AI platform for command, control and battlefield training, supporting deeper deployment with the UK Ministry of Defence and expansion into the United States.
Hadean, a defense startup, has closed a growth funding round of £2m from a group including British Business Bank, Booz Allen Ventures, Entrepreneur First and Twin Track Ventures. The capital will be used to expand its spatial computing and AI platform for command, control and battlefield training, with a stated focus on deeper deployment within the UK Ministry of Defence and expansion into the United States — a timely move given rising demand for advanced defence simulations.
Why it matters
The deal highlights growing investor attention on companies that can help armed forces rehearse and plan for complex operations in blended live and virtual environments. The UK government lists defence among the sectors it wants to drive through its Industrial Strategy, and recent geopolitical tensions have increased pressure on militaries and suppliers to accelerate capability development and interoperability with NATO partners.
Inside the product
Hadean builds simulation software that combines spatial computing with artificial intelligence to model conflict scenarios at scale. Its platform is designed to support training, rehearsal and operational planning by linking live exercises with virtual participants and simulated systems, allowing organisations to test doctrine, command structures and logistics without the full cost or risk of real-world drills.
The company was founded in 2017 and positions its technology for use by defence forces, government agencies and private-sector organisations that need to model multi-domain operations. The new funds are earmarked to advance its command, control and battlefield training capabilities and to support US market entry.
Who are the investors?
The round brings together a mix of public and specialist investors. British Business Bank, the UK’s economic development bank, is participating alongside Booz Allen Ventures, the corporate venture arm of the US defence and consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, Entrepreneur First, which invests in early-stage technical founders, and Twin Track Ventures, a UK venture investor.
The announcement frames the investment as strategic capital for a company operating in a sector the UK considers critical to national security. British Business Bank representatives emphasised the role of public capital in supporting high-potential defence tech.
In the announcement, Leandros Kalisperas, Chief Investment Officer at British Business Bank, said:
The current geopolitical environment has sharpened the demand for defence capability, presenting a clear opportunity for UK innovators and investors. Our role is to ensure that high-potential companies operating in this critical sector have access to the capital they need to develop and deploy their technology. While we primarily support the sector through specialist venture capital funds, we are increasingly taking direct stakes in fast-growing companies in areas of strategic importance.
The bank’s Investment Director also framed the deal as backing home-grown innovation.
In the announcement, George Mills, Investment Director at British Business Bank, said:
Hadean is a home-grown innovator at a critical moment in its growth journey. This additional capital will enable Hadean to accelerate its innovation and expand into new markets. By investing in Hadean we are not only supporting a company at the forefront of the UK’s defence tech ecosystem but helping to build technology that has the potential to strengthen UK national security.
If you're researching potential backers in this space:
- Explore our list of defense venture capital firms in the UK
- Browse our directory of defense angel investors in the UK
Founder perspective
In the announcement, Craig Beddis, Co-founder & CEO, said:
This funding brings together investors who deeply understand defence, sovereignty, and what it takes to scale mission-critical technology. Their collective support enables us to accelerate delivery for the UK, the US, and allied NATO partners at a time when operational readiness and technological advantage matter more than ever.
Beddis’s comment underscores the stated commercial plan: accelerate product delivery for defence customers and pursue transatlantic growth where demand for simulation and distributed training is rising.
The bigger picture
The investment sits at the intersection of public policy and private capital. Government-backed finance joining specialist defence investors signals a willingness to underwrite longer product development cycles that characterise defence procurement. At the same time, companies that can demonstrate interoperability, export potential and alignment with military customers may find access to both grant and equity capital easier to secure.
The deal also reflects broader trends: growing spending on digital training tools, interest from allied partners in shared simulation environments, and a focus on sovereign capability for mission-critical systems.
Hadean’s raise is one of several recent examples of UK-founded defence tech firms attracting mixed public and private investment as they scale and look to export. It will be worth watching whether this model of blended financing becomes more common across the UK and Europe as governments seek to accelerate technology adoption in national security.
They've invested in Hadean
Get to know these defense investors
Click here for a full list of 7,526+ startup investors in the UK