EUDIS Defence Hackathon: Exploring Technologies for Space and Defence
The Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) invites experts and innovators to participate in the upcoming EUDIS Defence Hackathon, dedicated to advancing Technologies for Space and Defence. This event is scheduled to take place from October 17 to 19, 2025, across eight locations in Europe, including Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Portugal.
Objective and Scope
The EUDIS Defence Hackathon is expected to attract over 500 participants, who will form dynamic teams to develop groundbreaking solutions addressing pressing challenges in the realms of space and defence technology. This hackathon is particularly significant as it welcomes participants from EU Member States, Norway, and Ukraine, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at enhancing European defence capabilities.
This third iteration of the EUDIS Defence Hackathon marks a pioneering partnership with BraveTech EU, a collaboration aimed at integrating insights from the battlefield to bolster innovation in defence. Notably, participation from Ukrainian representatives is widespread, underscoring their vital role in this collaborative initiative and setting the stage for follow-up activities, including boot camps planned for 2026.
Why Focus on Technologies for Space and Defence?
With space emerging as a critical asset for defence operations and increasingly becoming a contested realm, it is imperative to maintain control and ensure resilience within this domain.
The focal theme of this hackathon will delve into how the European space framework can enhance defence missions and contribute to a secure space environment. Key areas of investigation include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Leveraging AI to improve decision-making in defence operations.
- Autonomous Systems: Developing more secure and autonomous capabilities.
- Data Solutions: Innovating methods for effective data collection and processing.
Additionally, the hackathon will address the complexities of drone warfare, drawing from Ukraine’s current operational experiences. The proliferation of drone threats presents a common challenge for Ukraine and EU Member States. Collaborating on counter-drone technologies emerges as a pivotal opportunity for mutual advantage among EU and Ukrainian innovators.
Hackathon Challenges
Participants will engage in three main thematic challenges:
- Protection of Space Assets: Focusing on detection, analysis, and countermeasures against threats in space.
- Space for Defence: Exploring Earth observation, navigation, communication, and the coordination of multi-domain military operations.
- Sovereign Aerospace: Concentrating on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), their management, production, and counteraction strategies.
Each challenge will be supported by local organizers who will facilitate rapid prototyping and hands-on development in software and hardware domains.
Opportunities for Participants
The hackathon offers more than just a platform for innovation. Key incentives include:
- Local awards for outstanding contributions.
- Access to a 40-hour mentoring program for the eight national winners, designed to assist teams in nurturing their ideas into sustainable businesses.
- Opportunities to pitch their projects to experts, investors, and policymakers.
- The top three teams from across the EU will showcase their solutions at an international high-tech event.
The mentoring program aims to equip winners with essential knowledge about defence mechanisms and foster valuable industry connections.
Event Timeline
- Pre-Hackathon Webinar: Recorded sessions available here.
- Registration Deadline: Closes on October 17, 2025.
- Hackathon Weekend: Scheduled for October 17-19, 2025.
- Mentoring Program: Runs until December.
- Live Pitching Event: Scheduled for January, featuring presentations in front of EU Member State representatives.
For further information, please visit the official website.
This event represents a critical juncture in the intersection of technology and defence, inviting professionals and enthusiasts alike to contribute to the future of European security and innovation.
