The Munich startup Fernride has expanded its Series A financing round by 18 million euros. In total, the financing volume now amounts to 75 million euros. With the fresh capital, the company plans to deploy its ground autonomy platform not only in civil logistics but also in defense logistics.
New investors and advisory board
The financing is led by Helantic. Several dual-use investors are participating, including Thomas Müller, former CEO of Hensoldt and board member at Airbus Defense. Müller is also strengthening Fernride’s advisory board. In addition to existing shareholders who have expanded their commitments, new strategic investors, family offices, and venture capital firms have come on board.
Thomas Müller commends:
“Fernride’s technology has already proven itself in civil logistics, and its significant potential to save lives and strengthen Europe’s defense forces is undeniable. This is exactly the kind of innovation made in Germany that we need to secure our technological sovereignty.”
From container terminals to defense logistics
Fernride currently deploys its technology at critical infrastructure points such as container terminals. Following the first TÜV SÜD safety certification of an autonomous terminal tractor and the transition to operation without a safety driver, the startup is preparing for scaling across European ports.
With the additional funding, the company now aims to extend its solutions to defense logistics. CEO and co-founder Hendrik Kramer explains:
“Europe needs sovereignty in critical industries and technologies. Autonomous systems for container terminals and defense are crucial for Europe’s future. Our solution is already in use in vital infrastructure and ensures cargo flow at container terminals. With this new investment, we are expanding our technology platform to support defense logistics, ensure safer operations, address personnel shortages, and ultimately save lives. We have demonstrated that autonomy can solve real problems in civil supply chains. Now we are supporting European armed forces with the same mission: protect lives, strengthen resilience, and return control to people – just not always from behind the wheel.”
Through Fernride’s platform, ground-based vehicles can be controlled automatically. The technology was developed in Europe and uses artificial intelligence. It can be deployed quickly, retrofitted into various vehicle types, and monitored and controlled by humans at any time. The goal is to increase mission flexibility, shift personnel away from repetitive transport tasks to more strategic roles, and protect lives in high-risk zones.
