The Enterprise Europe Network announces:
August 25, 2026
The EU initiative BraveTechEU DefTech Forges will put new technologies into practice from November 9 to 13, 2026. The program, organized by the European Commission, the European Defense Agency (EDA), and BRAVE1, will take place simultaneously in Germany and Romania.
In Germany, the event is organized by Bayern Innovativ’s TechHUB Security and Defense. Together with international partners (Civitta, Starburst, Darkstar), up to 20 startups and SMEs will have the opportunity to test and further develop their solutions to meet operational needs in Ukraine.
Here’s what the teams can expect:
The program brings together technology developers, industry, research institutions, and end users. During the intensive 5-day program, participants will receive direct feedback from users and technical experts to help them refine their solutions in a targeted manner.
Key details for participation:
- Technology level: TRL 4+ or higher (prototypes in a test environment).
- Open to all industries: Not just for traditional defense companies—dual-use and deep tech solutions are also in demand.
- Opportunity to win up to €120,000 in prize money per winning team
- Application deadline: September 6, 2026
