Oleksandr Yakovenko (Ukrainian: ÃÂûõúÃÂðýôàïúþòõýúþ; born 16 December 1989) is a Ukrainian war-drones manufacturer and volunteer. He is the founder of the Enliv UA corporate investment fund and the TAF Industries group, which includes TAF DronesâÂÂdescribed as one of UkraineâÂÂs largest producers of FPV loitering munitions, reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and electronic-warfare systems. In 2024 he launched the defense -tech cluster to accelerate R&D and investment in military technologies. He has received a number of state and departmental honours, including the Order of Merit in 2024.
Yakovenko completed secondary education at the Richelieu Lyceum in 2006. He graduated from the Odesa National Maritime University in 2011 with a degree in "Organisation and Management of Transport".
In December 2012 Yakovenko founded Supramarin, a trade-logistics operator focused on logistics processes and trade finance. In 2016 he created the Enliv investment fund with projects in international logistics, agri-trade, fuel supply and real estate development.
Since November 2023 he has served as founder and head of the TAF Industries group, including TAF Drones, which develops and manufactures FPV loitering munitions ("kamikaze" drones), reconnaissance UAVs and electronic-warfare systems; the company also imports components for UkraineâÂÂs mil-tech sector. In 2024 he initiated the Innovation Hub private defence-tech cluster bringing together developers, military personnel and investors to accelerate adoption of new technologies in UkraineâÂÂs defence sector.
Since 2022 Yakovenko has been associated with the charitable foundation Khvylia âÂÂ91, which supports Ukrainian military units with equipment and assistance. Local media have reported that more than 120 entrepreneurs and companies joined the programme, with assistance to over 200 brigades totalling about â´375 million.
Yakovenko has been reported as a recipient of state and departmental awards connected with support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the Order of Merit (3rd class) in 2024, the Medal "For Assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine", the Medal "For Assistance to Defence", the National Guard's Badge "For Assistance", the award weapon of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (2022), and municipal and media distinctions such as For the Defence of Odesa (2022), Innovator of the Year (Ukrainska Pravda, 2023) and Breakthrough of the Year (Forbes Ukraine, 2024).