Swarmer's Nasdaq Debut: Ukraine's Drone Revolution

0:00This is Cory with the story, keeping you tapped into pop culture. You're listening to Entertainment and celebrity news today. A Ukrainian drone software company, called Swarmer, grabbed headlines with the hottest NASDAQ debut in over a year. Shares skyrocketed more than 700% on the first trading day, settling at $31 by Tuesday close. The startup, now headquartered in Austin, Texas, but founded in Ukraine, lets a single pilot manage hundreds of drones at once. Ukrainian forces have relied on a heavily since early 2024. Last month, Eric Prince, founder of the private military firm Blackwater, signed on as non-executive chairman. Ukraine has surged ahead in producing low-cost, first-person-view drones after four years of conflict-driven innovation. Still, tight export rules and limited funding have kept output low. The defense sector hit a $35 billion capacity in 2025, but only pulled in $6.1 billion from abroad.

1:00American investors and setups are changing that. High-profile U.S. figures, like former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have joined boards of similar Ukrainian firms. Meanwhile, the Pentagon eyes these budget-friendly drones to pair with pricier U.S. gear. Recent wins show the momentum. A Ukrainian outfit took top honors in the U.S. military drone contest in Georgia this year, paving the way for contracts. Experts see Swarmer as the first wave of Ukraine. U.S. defense partnerships scaling up fast. Thanks to our sponsor for helping bring you this episode. Layback, press play. Let the pillow do the rest. Sound meets comfort. S-O-L-I-S-O-L-Pillow.com. Made in AI.