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Join the BraveTechEU DefTech Forge initiative
Where Europe’s most ambitious defence innovators meet real operational challenges. Applications for local organisers of the upcoming Forges and mentorship open now!
powered by the European Commission
What is the BraveTechEu DefTech Forges?
BraveTechEU DefTech Forges are intensive, multi-day defence innovation events designed to accelerate TRL 4+ defence and dual-use solutions from prototype maturity toward operational validation.
Hosted in military-relevant environments across Europe, each Forge brings together Start-ups, Scale-ups, SMEs and innovator teams with military end-users, technical experts, mentors and industry stakeholders. The objective is simple: test, adapt and strengthen technologies against real operational constraints — including lessons emerging from Ukraine’s battlefield experience.
Who can participate?
Start-ups & SMEs
Companies developing defence or dual-use technologies at TRL 4 or above, with a working prototype or system ready to be tested, demonstrated and refined during the DefTech Forge.
Mentors
Military, technical and industry experts who can help teams sharpen their use case, test their solutions, understand operational needs and prepare for the next stage of development.
Local organisers
Innovation hubs, accelerators, clusters, universities or ecosystem organisations able to host a 5-day DefTech Forge and mobilise local defence, industry and public-sector stakeholders
What is in for you?
Participants become part of a ground breaking European Commission initaitive to support innovators in the defence industry. Furthemore, gain access to a unique defence innovation environment:
- Realistic testing and experimentation conditions
- Direct feedback from military end-users and technical experts
- Hands-on mentoring to improve operational relevance, integration and readiness
- Visibility within the European defence innovation ecosystem
- A chance to win €120,000 in prize money per winning team
- For selected winners, a pathway toward Phase II testing and evaluation led by the European Defence Agency