Norwegian drone technology startup AUGR has joined NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster, strengthening the cluster’s growing ecosystem of companies developing solutions for modern defence and security challenges.
Founded in 2025 by Hugin Dyre Jacobsen and Oliver Bolton, AUGR develops dual-use drone training technology designed to improve survivability and preparedness in an era where drones increasingly dominate both military operations and emergency response environments.
The company’s vision is a world where armed drones do not take human lives, and its mission is to help soldiers and first responders prepare for the realities of modern drone warfare.
The idea behind AUGR emerged after Jacobsen visited Ukraine with Fritt Ukraina in 2025, where he gained insight into how commercial and military drones have transformed the battlefield.
"The stories we heard made a strong impression on me. Drones now account for a large share of casualties on the battlefield, and we realized there was a need for a new generation of training tools that prepare soldiers for these realities," says Jacobsen.
Recognizing the rapid pace of innovation in drone technology, Jacobsen teamed up with former classmate Bolton, a mathematician and software developer, to establish AUGR. Within months, the company assembled a multidisciplinary team of engineers and software developers focused on developing advanced training solutions.
Today, AUGR consists of seven employees and two advisors, combining expertise in defence, engineering and software development.
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Photo: AUGR
AUGR's flagship product, Munin, is a training system that combines smart sensors, hit detection technology and advanced software to simulate realistic drone attacks in safe training environments.
Named after one of Odin’s ravens in Norse mythology, Munin enables soldiers to train against drone threats under realistic field conditions while generating valuable data for after-action reviews and performance analysis.
The system supports both offensive and defensive training scenarios, helping drone operators improve targeting accuracy while also teaching ground forces how to detect, react to and survive drone attacks.
"Our goal is to take the lessons emerging from Ukraine, make them as safe and realistic as possible, and implement them in training that can be conducted by defence organizations across NATO," says Jacobsen.
Designed with compatibility in mind, the technology can integrate with existing equipment and platforms, making it accessible for allied defence forces. AUGR is also developing civilian variants of the system for applications such as search and rescue and emergency preparedness.
Hugin Dyre Jacobsen in Ukraine with member of Norwegian Parlament, Alexander Stokkebø. Photo Fritt Ukraina
AUGR sees membership in NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster as an opportunity to collaborate with defence stakeholders, industry partners and operational users.
"NORDSEC is a unique cluster where operational environments, industry and allied partners come together. Drone technology is evolving rapidly, and keeping pace requires collaboration. NORDSEC provides an excellent arena for creating new opportunities," says Jacobsen.
"AUGR aims to innovate and scale, and the network and support available through NORDSEC will be highly valuable as we continue developing our technology."
The company brings expertise in both drone hardware and software development, a highly specialized engineering team, strong links to academia, and a growing network within Ukraine's defence innovation ecosystem.
AUGR is currently entering the final stages of product development and is preparing for international deployment. The company plans to launch a pilot project in Ukraine this summer and is already in dialogue with several European defence organizations regarding testing and future adoption.
The company recently received approximately NOK 1.2 million in funding from Innovation Norway and has attracted attention from both defence stakeholders and investors. AUGR was also recently featured in the Norwegian business magazine Kapital's feature on the company.
Looking ahead, AUGR plans to patent its core technology and scale a business model that combines specialized hardware with data-driven software subscriptions, targeting defence organizations across the NATO alliance.
By joining NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster, AUGR becomes part of a growing network of defence companies, research institutions and operational stakeholders working together to strengthen defence capabilities, resilience and technological innovation across the Nordic region and allied nations.