Startup Story: Wayren X NATO DIANA Estonian Accelerator 

Wayren is developing a platform for uninterrupted communication in critical environments, enhancing situational awareness and operational efficiency — from battlefields to remote industries. Founders Henry Härm, Tarmo Aia, and Oliver Tiit have extensive experience in building Command and Control (C2) systems* within the Estonian Cyber Command. Recently, the company signed a €7.9 million strategic investment agreement with EFA GROUP. Let’s explore their NATO DIANA journey so far. 

How was the startup idea born? 

While building and deploying the Estonian Command and Control system, we discovered a technological gap in digitalising last-mile communications. Industry-standard protocols tend to fail in harsh battlefield conditions. We founded Wayren to solve this problem by developing a data synchronisation protocol that works even when underlying networks are unreliable, and packaging it into a communication platform for tactical system use. 

What has been your biggest win and biggest challenge so far? 

Our biggest win has been delivering a pilot project with the Defence League, which provided valuable insights for product development and led to collaborations with excellent industry partners like Scytalys. The biggest challenge has been managing the complexities of evolving from a minimum viable product (MVP) to a scalable solution. 

What differentiates your company from the competition? 

Our solution stands out because it is software-based and deployed directly on the end-user device alongside the C2 system. It integrates various communication equipment and ensures efficient peer-to-peer data synchronisation on the battlefield using all available connectivity methods. 

Why did you apply to the NATO DIANA accelerator? 

We joined the DIANA programme to take advantage of testing opportunities that help us further validate our technology, and to connect with end-users, like-minded founders, and mentors. 

Where do you see your company in 12 months’ time? How about in 5 years? 

In 12 months, we aim to have a scalable product in active use by our initial defence customers. In 5 years, we envision Wayren as a recognised player in the defence industry, delivering communication and future soldier solutions, and expanding into other mission-critical sectors. 

What is your number one piece of advice to fellow startup founders? 

Spend as much time as possible meeting and understanding your clients — it’s invaluable. 

The Estonian accelerator is implemented by Tehnopol Startup Incubator in cooperation with Sparkup Tartu Science Park. 

*C2 system: A Command and Control system used to manage and coordinate military operations in real time.