Intelic
Intelic builds NEXUS, a software platform for coordinating heterogeneous unmanned systems in military missions.
Europe's most interesting startup stories. Every week.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Podcast Episode
🎙️ Deep Dive
IQM, geoSurge, Intelic — public quantum, brands inside AI models and interoperable drones — Daily News July 3, 2026
Listen to the episodeAbout Intelic
Intelic is an Amsterdam-based Dutch defence tech company originally founded as Avalor AI in 2021. The company develops NEXUS, a command-and-control platform connecting drones and unmanned systems from different manufacturers inside a single operational environment. In July 2026, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced a three-year, multi-million-euro partnership with Intelic to develop a common drone software platform. The news confirms a shift in European defence tech from hardware-first procurement to software-first procurement.
The Story
The company was founded as Avalor AI in September 2021 by Maurits Korthals Altes, Jeroen Lappenschaar and Marc Derksen after prototyping work connected to the Dutch military's Robotics and Autonomous Systems unit.
How Intelic works
Business Model
B2G/B2B defence software for ministries of defence, armed forces and unmanned-system manufacturers.
Revenue Model
Government contracts, licensing/software agreements, defence partnerships and possible procurement platform economics; details are not public.
Products & Services
Key Products
- NEXUS
- Intelic BASE
- Command-and-control software for unmanned systems
Core Use Cases
- Drone interoperability
- Command and control for unmanned systems
- Multi-manufacturer drone coordination
- Mission planning
- Battlefield autonomy
- European drone procurement
Market & Clients
Key Customers
Ministries of defence, armed forces, NATO-aligned customers and European unmanned-system manufacturers.
Geographic Presence
How Intelic competes
Competitors
Competitive Advantages
- NEXUS platform-agnostic C2 software
- Battlefield use in Ukraine reported by Reuters and company statements
- Dutch Ministry of Defence strategic partnership
- Intelic BASE procurement hub
- Founding team with Dutch military robotics/autonomous systems background
How Intelic grows
Growth Strategy
Use the Dutch defence partnership to mature NEXUS as a national and allied interoperability layer, while expanding Intelic BASE across European unmanned-systems suppliers and ministries.
Distribution Model
Direct B2G contracts, defence partnerships, procurement hub and integrations with drone manufacturers.
Moat (Defensibility)
Operational defence relationships, NEXUS interoperability layer, battlefield feedback, procurement hub network and institutional trust.
Regulatory Context
Relevant to defence procurement, NATO interoperability, military AI governance, export controls and national security.
Key Risks
- Defence procurement cycles
- Export controls and national-security restrictions
- Operational reliability requirements
- Dependence on government customers
- Ethical and political scrutiny around autonomy and military AI
- Interoperability complexity across heterogeneous hardware
Strategic Insights
- European defence is moving from closed platforms toward software interoperability.
- The lesson from Ukraine is that hardware and software must evolve together.
- Government funding of the command-and-control layer signals maturation in European defence procurement.
Funding & Investors
Funding Rounds
- 2026 - Strategic three-year partnership: >€30M / tens of millions of euros
Lead: Dutch Ministry of Defence - 2024 - Seed: €2M
Lead: Keen Venture Partners
Key Investors
Founding Team
Founders
Key Executives
- Maurits Korthals Altes - Co-founder & CEO
- Jeroen Lappenschaar - Co-founder & CTO
- Marc Derksen - Co-founder & CPO
Key Metrics
Lessons from Intelic
- In defence tech, the problem is not only building better hardware, but reducing operational fragmentation.
- Interoperability can become a moat when the market is full of closed vertical suppliers.
- Institutional relationships and battlefield feedback are part of the product.
Similar Startups
2INNOVATION
We help companies undertake successful Digital Transformation paths: together with them we design effective Customer Interactions.
Read Analysis4MAINDS
Solutions for energy efficiency. Among the main offerings are innovative solutions for monitoring energy consumption, complete Smart Regulation Systems.
Read Analysis5 STEP TO ROI
Discover the 5 Step to ROI business process automation method. More profits, in less time and less stress. Book a free consultation now!
Read AnalysisSources
- Dutch military invests millions in drone software platform — Reuters
- Dutch military backs Intelic's drone software with tens of millions of euros — TNW
- About us — Intelic
- Launch of Intelic BASE links European drone makers with defense ministries — Intelic
- Amsterdam's Avalor AI secures €2M to build autonomous software for drones — Silicon Canals