HIGHCAT
German UAV manufacturer building modular, jam-resistant reconnaissance drones — including a fiber-optic-controlled model — for the German Armed Forces and Ukraine's front line.
HIGHCAT GmbH is a Konstanz, Germany-based defense-tech startup founded in 2023 by Dominik Faißt (CEO), Jan Hartmann, and David Lickert, developing modular unmanned aerial systems for reconnaissance and security missions. Its product line includes the HCI and HCP reconnaissance quadcopters and the HCX, a fiber-optic-controlled UAV that swaps radio links for a spooled cable (up to 20 km) to eliminate the RF emissions that let electronic-warfare systems detect and jam drones, while carrying up to a 5 kg payload at data rates up to 1,000 Mbps. HIGHCAT field-tested the HCX in Ukraine in August 2024 to validate jam-resistance under real combat electronic-warfare conditions, targeted November 2024 mass production of roughly 3,000 units per month via manufacturing partner ODM GmbH, and its systems are now used by the German Armed Forces as well as in Ukraine. The company raised an undisclosed seed round in December 2023 led by D3 Venture Capital, with participation from Hype Ventures, NP-Hard Ventures, and angel investors.
Overview
- Headquarters
- Konstanz, Germany
- Founded
- 2023
- Employees
- Total funding
- Stage
- Status
- active
- Domains
- Website
- www.highcat.io
Founders3
- FounderDominik FaißtCEO and co-founder of HIGHCAT, a German UAV manufacturer building jam-resistant reconnaissance drones for defense and security customers.
- FounderJan HartmannCo-founder of HIGHCAT and public-facing spokesperson for its fiber-optic-controlled HCX reconnaissance drone.
- FounderDavid LickertCo-founder and development engineer at HIGHCAT, a German UAV manufacturer building modular reconnaissance drones.
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Frequently asked
- What does HIGHCAT do?
- HIGHCAT GmbH is a Konstanz, Germany-based defense-tech startup founded in 2023 by Dominik Faißt (CEO), Jan Hartmann, and David Lickert, developing modular unmanned aerial systems for reconnaissance and security missions. Its product line includes the HCI and HCP reconnaissance quadcopters and the HCX, a fiber-optic-controlled UAV that swaps radio links for a spooled cable (up to 20 km) to eliminate the RF emissions that let electronic-warfare systems detect and jam drones, while carrying up to a 5 kg payload at data rates up to 1,000 Mbps. HIGHCAT field-tested the HCX in Ukraine in August 2024 to validate jam-resistance under real combat electronic-warfare conditions, targeted November 2024 mass production of roughly 3,000 units per month via manufacturing partner ODM GmbH, and its systems are now used by the German Armed Forces as well as in Ukraine. The company raised an undisclosed seed round in December 2023 led by D3 Venture Capital, with participation from Hype Ventures, NP-Hard Ventures, and angel investors.
- Where is HIGHCAT headquartered?
- HIGHCAT is headquartered in Konstanz, Germany and was founded in 2023.
Sources & citations6
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
D3's own portfolio page lists Highcat as a UAV portfolio company described as building 'Price-efficient UAVs for safe and reliable use in security missions,' linking to highcat.io
D3: D3 PortfolioVerified2026-08-11 - 2
HIGHCAT's HCX drone uses a spooled fiber-optic cable instead of a radio link, giving up to 1,000 Mbps data rates and payloads up to 5 kg, and the company planned November 2024 mass production of roughly 3,000 units/month via manufacturing partner ODM GmbH
Militarnyi: HIGHCAT to Test Drone with Wired Control in UkraineVerified2024-08-02 - 3
HIGHCAT, a Konstanz, Germany-based drone maker, tested its jam-proof fiber-optic-controlled HCX drone (up to a 12-mile/~20km cable range) in Ukraine in August 2024
Forbes: German Jam-Proof Fiber Optic Drone Testing In UkraineVerified2024-08-02 - 4
HIGHCAT GmbH is headquartered at Brühlstraße 15, 78465 Konstanz, Germany, was founded in 2023, and its investors include Hype Ventures, D3, and NP-Hard Ventures
CB Insights: HIGHCAT - Products, Competitors, Financials, Employees, Headquarters LocationsReported2026-08-11 - 5
HIGHCAT GmbH's systems are currently deployed by the German Armed Forces and in Ukraine, and the company exhibited as a start-up in the Young Innovators Pavilion at Enforce Tac 2027
Enforce Tac: HIGHCAT GmbH | CompanyVerified2026-08-11 - 6
HIGHCAT, founded in 2023 by Dominik Faißt, Jan Hartmann, and David Lickert, raised an undisclosed seed round on December 13, 2023 led by D3, at a post-money valuation of approximately $7.84M, and had 12 employees as of mid-2026
Tracxn: HighCat - Company Profile, Team, Funding, Competitors & FinancialsReported2026-08-11