Dutch battery company aims to strengthen drone supply chains and extend mission endurance
European drone battery company Tulip Tech announced a new strategic investment this week as demand grows for non-Chinese drone components and stronger regional supply chains.
The company said the investment comes from Parcom and Keen Venture Partners. Tulip Tech plans to use the funding to expand production of high-energy battery systems for unmanned aerial vehicles, ground vehicles, and underwater systems.
Based in Den Bosch, the Netherlands, Tulip Tech develops customized battery systems designed to increase drone endurance. The company says its batteries can extend UAV flight times by 30% to 100% compared to standard battery packs.
The announcement reflects a larger trend in both Europe and the United States. Governments and drone manufacturers are working to reduce reliance on Chinese-made drone components and batteries. Policymakers increasingly view supply chain independence as a national security issue, especially for defense and critical infrastructure applications.
In the United States, lawmakers and agencies continue to push for stronger domestic drone manufacturing capacity. Industry efforts such as Blue UAS, Green UAS, and recent industrial policy initiatives have focused on building trusted supply chains for aircraft, electronics, communications systems, and power components. Batteries remain one of the most important and difficult parts of that effort.
Focus on Endurance and Supply Chain Resilience
Tulip Tech says its battery systems help solve one of the main operational limits for drones: flight time.
Longer endurance can improve inspection missions, security operations, mapping, and military applications. It can also allow operators to carry heavier payloads or fly longer distances without changing aircraft.
The company said it delivered more than 100,000 battery packs in a single month for the first time in April. Tulip Tech described the milestone as an important step in scaling production capacity.
The company now plans to increase manufacturing output further as demand grows across Europe.
“Across Europe, drones are becoming a critical capability in defence and security, but their effectiveness is still constrained by battery performance,” said Bernd Rietberg, Founder and CEO of Tulip Tech. “At Tulip Tech, we focus on solving that bottleneck. This investment allows us to scale production and support more OEMs with battery systems that significantly extend mission endurance. Our ambition is to become a key European partner for high-performance UAV energy systems.”
Tulip Tech serves defense, security, and civil drone manufacturers across Europe. The company says its products combine high energy density, lightweight design, and European production standards.
European Investment Targets Sovereign Drone Capacity
Investors connected the deal directly to Europe’s efforts to develop independent industrial capacity for drones and defense technology.
“Tulip Tech sits at the intersection of two structural shifts we have followed closely: the rise of unmanned platforms and Europe’s push for sovereign industrial capacity,” said Norman Bremer, Partner at Parcom. “Bernd and his team have built a differentiated product, real customer traction, and a culture that can scale. Parcom will work alongside Keen Venture Partners and the Tulip Tech team to support the company’s next phase of industrial growth.”
Alexander Ribbink, Partner at Keen Venture Partners, also emphasized the strategic importance of drone supply chains.
“What attracted Keen to Tulip Tech was the entrepreneurial energy of Bernd and his team, their deep tech expertise, and a clear vision. They already have a strong and growing international customer base, and we see real potential to make Tulip Tech a cornerstone of Europe’s sovereign drone supply chain.”
As demand for drones grows in both military and commercial markets, battery manufacturing has become an increasingly important part of the larger unmanned systems ecosystem.
While aircraft platforms often receive the most attention, the industry continues to face challenges securing reliable supplies of batteries, rare earth materials, motors, chips, and other critical components outside of China.
Companies like Tulip Tech represent part of a broader effort to build regional alternatives as governments and operators seek greater supply chain resilience and operational independence.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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