The Munich startup Fernride has expanded its Series A financing round by €18 million. The total financing volume now amounts to €75 million. With the fresh capital, the company plans to use its ground autonomy platform in defense logistics as well as civilian applications.
New investors and advisory board
The financing is being led by Helantic. Several dual-use investors are participating, including Thomas Müller, former CEO of Hensoldt and member of the board of Airbus Defense. Müller is also strengthening Fernride's advisory board. In addition to existing shareholders who have increased their involvement, new strategic investors, family offices, and venture capitalists have joined.
Thomas Müller praises:
"Fernride's technology has already proven itself in civil logistics, and its high potential to protect lives and strengthen European defense forces is undeniable. It is precisely this Made in Germany innovation that we need to secure our technological sovereignty."
From container terminals to defense logistics
Fernride is currently deploying its technology at critical hubs such as container terminals. After the first TÜV SÜDAfter obtaining safety certification for an autonomous terminal tug and transitioning to operations without safety drivers, the startup is preparing to scale up in European ports.
With the additional funding, the company now plans to transfer its solutions to defense logistics. CEO and co-founder Hendrik Kramer explained:
"Europe needs sovereignty in critical industries and technologies. Autonomous systems for container terminals and defense are crucial to Europe's future. Our solution is already deployed in critical infrastructure, ensuring the flow of goods at container terminals. With this new investment, we are expanding our technology platform to support defense logistics, ensure safer operations, address staffing shortages, and ultimately protect lives. We've shown that autonomy can solve real problems in civilian supply chains. Now we're supporting European armed forces with the same mission: protecting lives, building resilience, and putting people back in control—just not always behind the wheel."
Fernride's platform enables vehicles to be automatically controlled on the ground. The technology was developed in Europe and uses artificial intelligence. It can be deployed quickly, retrofitted to various vehicle types, and monitored and controlled by humans at any time. The goal is to increase mission flexibility, redeploy personnel from repetitive transport tasks to more strategic roles, and protect lives in high-risk areas.
