🇵🇹 Defense Tech Meetup #9: Sovereignty by Design
​Join us for an exclusive, highly curated evening of presentations, networking and light bites with drinks in the Defense Tech space during the Web Summit week.
​This edition is specifically focused on "Sovereignty by Design: Do We Have Options to Create a SpaceX Alternative?"
​Organized by Productized, this meetup brings together defense innovation leaders, investors, legal experts and military personnel to tackle how Europe can build and scale sovereign deep tech giants.
​Rather than theory, the focus is on macro-level defense trends, investment landscapes and real operational challenges. We will explore problems and opportunities to strengthen the ecosystem, including:
​Perspectives and field lessons from the Ukrainian reality;
​VC discussions on investment trends across Europe and the USA, and whether we are falling behind;
​Direct insights into military needs, emerging trends, and operational struggles.
​Agenda:
​17:45 - 18:00 - Welcome and Door Opening
​18:00 - 18:15 - Welcome & Defense Innovation Vision
​João Santos, Defense Innovation Leader of Productized
​Ana Marta Castro, Partner at Vieira de Almeida
​Marc Custodio, Innovation Catalyst of Critical Software
​18:20 - 18:30 - Perspectives from Ukraine: Frontline Tech & Innovation
​TBD (Ukrainian Veterans)
​18:30 - 19:00 - VC Perspectives on Europe & USA: Are We Falling Behind?
​Ana Marta Castro, Partner at Vieira de Almeida (Moderator)
​Rui Metelo Marques, NATO Innovation Fund
​Raul Marques, Executive Director, 3xP Global
​DIANA (TBC)
​EUDIS (TBC)
​Stephan de Moraes, Managing General Partner, Indico Capital Partners
​19:00 - 19:50 - Startups & Scaleups Showcase
​Hackurity with Harold de Vries
​Critical Software with Pedro Miranda
​Alea Defense & Space with Chris Marley
​UB Robotics with Pedro Oliveira
​IObundle with José T. de Sousa
​Skylab (Portugal Aerospace Technologies) with Tomás Raposo & Gonçalo Machado
​Open Cosmos with Tiago Rebelo (TBC)
​19:50 - 20:20 - The Military Perspective: Trends, Needs and Struggles
​André Marquet, CEO of Productized (Moderator)
​Pedro Costa, Portuguese Air Force (TBC)
​Tiago Gomes, Portuguese Navy (TBC)
​Portuguese Army (TBC)
​Ricardo Conde, Portugal Space (TBC)
​Col. (Res.) António Eugénio, Defence Consultant, KPMG
​20:20 - 20:30 - Closing Remarks & Action Plan
​António Brás Monteiro, Defence Expert, European Commission (DG DEFIS)
​20:30 - 21:00 - Networking (Complimentary food and beverages provided)
​About Productized (organizer)
​Productized is a Lisbon-based conference and community focused on product management and innovation. Alongside its annual international event, it organizes the EUDIS Hackathon Lisbon and Defense Tech meetups, bringing together creators, designers, and tech leaders to learn, build, and connect.
​About Vieira de Almeida
​A leading Portuguese law firm recognized for its innovative legal services and deep sector expertise. VdA provides strategic counsel across high-stakes industries—including technology, aerospace, defense, and venture capital—helping startups, investors, and corporates navigate complex regulations and scale globally.
​About Critical Software
​A Portuguese technology company specializing in reliable, safety-critical, and mission-critical systems since 1998. Critical Software designs and maintains complex control infrastructures for global industries where failure is not an option, including aerospace, defense, transportation, and energy.
​About Defense Tech Meetups
​The Defense Tech Meetups started with the Estonian Startup Society. It's an invitation-only event that gather armed forces, researchers, defense sector companies, associations, investors and technology developers looking for a platform to discuss current challenges, ideas, and collaboration opportunities. If there is someone you think should be invited, don't hesitate to get in touch with the organizers.