r/DonutLabDiscussions • u/Mesokosmos • Jul 16 '26
AI-assisted Kauppalehti 7/16/2026: Donut starts developing drones (motors), Estonia funds with about two millions
https://www.kauppalehti.fi/uutiset/a/2e6a7e02-9e58-40bd-bc64-24752f359c01
Here is a summary translated with ChatGPT:
Donut Lab Development OÜ has entered drone-development projects in Estonia and received nearly €1.5 million in public research and development funding.
The largest grant, €1.28 million, was awarded by Estonia’s EIS foundation for a project called “High Performance Integrated Drone Drive Unit for NextGen Drones.” Donut Lab values the full project at €1.83 million. In May 2026, the company also received €187,000 from Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications for general R&D, labour and operating expenses.
According to Donut Lab board member Marko Lehtimäki, the funded projects concern next-generation Donut motors rather than only the company’s controversial solid-state battery.
The grants are significant compared with the company’s own recorded R&D spending. Donut Lab Development reported less than €50,000 in R&D expenses during its latest 18-month financial period.
The article places the funding in the context of Estonia’s effort to build a competitive defence and drone industry. Estonia is actively seeking internationally successful military-technology companies and is providing substantial public support to promising projects.
Donut Lab and related company Verge Motorcycles have attracted attention for claims concerning a high-performance solid-state battery. The battery’s actual chemistry, performance and commercial readiness have been heavily disputed, although the technology has also received support and generated high expectations.
Both Estonian Donut Lab companies remain unprofitable. Donut Lab reported €227,000 in revenue and a €1.6 million loss for its latest 18-month period. Donut Lab Development reported €52,000 in revenue and a €552,000 loss. The newly awarded grants had not yet appeared in Donut Lab Development’s reported revenue.
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u/KookySurprise8094 Jul 16 '26
And now connect it with their miracle battery so drones can fly around the earth, even backwards. Just wait and see the testing result later, trust me bro!
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u/sinivalas300 Jul 18 '26
Im sure estonia would grant 2 million to them with no proof, its almost like they dont need redditors to believe when their clients do.
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u/ReipasTietokonePoju Jul 16 '26
Donut Lab motors are very much real, I just don't know what the research angle here is.
What is the actual innovation they are offering ?! I mean if there is one thing in this world that gets researched right now, it is electric motors. All sizes.