By David Jeans NEW YORK, March 18 (Reuters) - Erik Prince, the founder of private military firm Blackwater, is backing a Ukrainian drone technology firm he wants to help ‌sell to the U.S. military, underscoring Kyiv’s rising role as a hub of innovation ‌in modern warfare. Prince, who last year joined the board of Ukrainian drone software firm Swarmer, told Reuters that four years ​of war with Russia had allowed Ukrainian defense companies to rapidly develop low‑cost drones, software and electronic warfar ...

Core Viewpoint - Swarmer Inc. experienced a remarkable IPO debut, with shares soaring 700% due to strong investor interest in artificial intelligence and defense technologies [1][6]. Company Summary - Swarmer, based in Austin, Texas, opened at $12.50, a 150% premium over its IPO price of $5, and peaked at nearly $40 before closing at $31 [2][3]. - The company sold 3 million shares, raising over $60 million, and its market capitalization reached approximately $500 million at its peak [3]. - Despite the strong debut, Swarmer reported revenue of $309,920 for the year ending December 31, 2025, a decline of about 6% from the previous year, and a net loss of approximately $8.5 million, more than quadrupling its loss from 2024 [9]. Industry Summary - The IPO reflects a broader resurgence in tech listings, particularly in the drone and defense technology sectors, driven by increased defense spending and interest in unmanned systems [4][5]. - The sector has seen significant gains, with companies like Kratos Defense rising approximately 72% year-to-date and over 280% in the past year, indicating strong investor interest [7]. - Analysts project continued growth in the industry, with companies like AeroVironment having price targets suggesting over 20% upside, supporting demand for new listings like Swarmer [8].