Startup and Tech Companies Track at Estonian Defence Week
Estonian Defence Week (EDW) is the firebrand event of Estonian defence industry and policy-makers, bringing together military leaders, procurement officials, NATO stakeholders, defence ministries, investors and founders from EU/NATO countries and Ukraine.
Startup and Tech companies’ track
This year, e-Residency team invites defencetech founders from EU and NATO countries and Ukraine to join the Startup and Tech companies track from 21 - 22 September.
The programme includes access to Defence Innovation Day, led by Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol, which also hosts the NATO DIANA Accelerator. Defence Innovation Day is a full-day event taking place on 21 September.
On 22 September, the e-Residency team will host the “Defencetech Testbed Estonia” programme at Stuudio2, Vabriku 6, Tallinn. Participants will gather from 10:00, with the programme starting at 10:20, followed by lunch at 12:30.
Programme for e-Residency Workshop on 22 September
10.00 – 10.20 Registration and gathering
10.20 – 10.25 Welcome by Ülane Vilumets, e-Residency
10.25 – 10.40 Vootele Päi, Head of Dual Use and Defence Technologies, Tehnopol
10.40 – 11.00 Rene Ehasalu, Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association
11.00 – 11.25 Ülane Vilumets, Business Development Team Lead, e-Residency
10 min break
11.35 – 12.05 Founder Panel Ivan Oleksii, Co-Founder and CBDO, DoD Solutions, Benjamin So, Co-Founder of Uptime Technologies, Anna Muradova, COO, Farsight Vision, Daniel Bender, Co-Founder of Alethos, Raimo Matvere (moderator)
12.05 – 12.30 Ecosystem panel Valeriia Sviripa, Chief of Staff, Darkstar, Tõnis Segerkranz, Head of Innovation AI & Robitics Estonia, Jaan Kokk, Investment Manager, Superangel, Raimo Matvere (moderator)
Startups will also have the opportunity to visit the EDW expo area. Additional side events will take place later in the week for those staying in Estonia longer.
Apply here for access to the programme that will include access to startup and tech companies track. Visit to the Defence Week Expo area need an additional registration here.
Why Estonia?
An EU and NATO member since 2004, Estonia has been an active security provider in the Nordic-Baltic region. With its unique geopolitical position and close ties to Ukraine, Estonia has emerged as one of one of Europe’s emerging defencetech hubspots with the industry growing 25-30% year-on-year with more than half of its production being exported.
Due to Estonia’s ease of doing business, highly competitive tax system and e-Residency, Estonia’s defencetech sector also includes many foreign founded defencetech startups that are able to use Estonia as a testbed to develop their product fast and use easier access to policy-makers and procurement officials.