Defence Innovation Day
Defence starts here! 🌍📢
Join us for Defence Innovation Day on 22 September, where leaders in defence, technology, and investment will explore how innovation is reshaping the future of security across the NATO alliance and beyond.
Kicking off Estonian Defence Week, the event will examine the forces driving defence transformation – from cross-border collaboration in the Baltic region to breakthrough funding models and the evolving relationship between industry primes and startups.
Defence Innovation Day is a platform for startups, scale-ups, governments, and industry players to exchange ideas, showcase cutting-edge solutions, and build meaningful partnerships. The programme features keynote presentations, panel discussions, startup pitches, and networking opportunities – all aimed at accelerating capability development.
Agenda
Registration & Morning Coffee
Greetings and Opening Remarks – Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia
Block I: Mission Impossible? Government, Industry & Defence Futures
Keynote – Martin Karkour, Chief Revenue Officer, Quantum Systems – German-based dual-use drone technology company that recently raised €160 million and is one of the few European defence unicorns
Panel Discussion – Major Ivo Peets, incoming Head of the Force Transformation Command; Kadri Tammai, Head of NATO DIANA Regional Hub; Jaanus Tamm, CEO of DefSecIntel Solutions
Startup Pitching Session
Lunch and Networking
Block II: Battlefield Innovation – Lessons from Ukraine
Keynote – Innovation on the Battlefield – Lessons from Ukraine
Panel Discussion – How Ukraine is Redefining Defence Tech, moderated by Jaanika Merilo with Misha Rudominski (HIMERA) and Viktoriia Yaremchuk (Farsight Vision)
Block III: Fuelling Innovation – From Capital to Capability
Startup Pitching Session featuring:
Factiverse – empowering media, government, and defence to verify information, avoid costly mistakes, and win trust
Scaleout – secure and scalable AI on all devices through Federated Learning
Resquant – pioneering the post-quantum revolution in hardware security
IS-Wireless – dual-use private 5G for extreme environments
Microamp – ushering in a new era of 5G mmWave connectivity
Our event is followed by the Estonian DefenceTech Meetup – organised by the Estonian Founders Society. Separate registration is required. Connect with Estonia’s defence innovation community to explore collaboration opportunities.
Event details
📅 Date: 22 September 2025
🕘 Time: 09:00–17:00 (Estonian time)
📍 Location: Kultuurikatel, Kursi 3, Tallinn
🎫 Ticket: Free of charge (registration required)
🗣️ Language: English
Questions? Email Kati Kirsipuu at kati.kirsipuu@tehnopol.ee
Defence Innovation Day is powered by Tehnopol and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications through the NATO DIANA Estonian Accelerator, with one programme block co-curated by Sparkup Tartu Science Park.
Please note: While the event is public, registration is required, and final participation is subject to approval by the organisers.
📎More information: https://onlineexpo.com/en/estonian-defence-week/defence-innovation-day/
We look forward to seeing you in Tallinn!
Agenda subject to change.