Invitation to Participate in the EUDIS Defence Hackathon
The Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) extends an invitation to join the upcoming EUDIS Defence Hackathon, scheduled for 17-19 October. This event, centered around the theme of Technologies for Space and Defence, will occur at eight simultaneous venues across Europe: Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Portugal. The hackathon aims to tackle pressing challenges faced by the European Defence sector.
Significance of Technologies for Space and Defence
As space emerges as a critical enabler for national security and becomes a fiercely contested operational environment, achieving and maintaining control over this domain is paramount. The focus of the hackathon lies in exploring how the European space ecosystem can enhance defence missions and operations while fostering a secure and sustainable space environment. Key areas of investigation will include:
- Artificial Intelligence applications in defence
- Development of autonomous systems with enhanced security features
- Innovative methodologies for data acquisition and analytics
The event is structured around three distinct challenges, with local organizers offering ‘hackathon/makeathon’ resources to facilitate agile development and prototyping.
Opportunities for Participants
Participants engaging in this initiative have access to a range of benefits:
- Local prizes awarded by national sponsors
- Inclusion of winning teams in a comprehensive 40-hour mentoring program over a two-month period
- Opportunities to pitch novel solutions to industry experts, investors, and policy decision-makers
- The top three teams recognized in the EU-wide competition will be invited to an international high-tech forum to present their innovations
The mentoring program is specifically designed to enable winning teams to cultivate sustainable business models, equipping them with vital defence expertise and networking opportunities.
Key Event Dates
- Pre-hackathon Webinar: Recording available here.
- Registration Deadline: 10 October 2025. Register here.
- Hackathon Weekend: 17-19 October 2025.
- Mentorship Duration: November to December 2025.
- Pitching Session: Live presentations to EU member states scheduled for January 2026.
For Further Insights
For additional details about the EUDIS Defence Hackathon, please visit the official site: EUDIS Hackathon.
This initiative represents a significant opportunity for defence professionals and innovators to contribute meaningfully to Europe’s strategic capabilities in space and defence technology.
