Bridging Deep Tech and Defense: Launching the European Defense Tech Hackathon
Join us on June 28-30, 2024, in Munich for our inaugural hackathon
Earlier this year, I traveled to the US to network and experience the startup scene over there. I had just arrived in San Francisco in mid-February when the El Segundo Defense Tech Hackathon took place, and the Gundo boys went viral across X.
I spent two years as an associate at Lunar Ventures, scouting and evaluating deep tech startups. Even though we had no focus on defense, I learned that deep tech and defense tech often go hand in hand.
Developing a new LiDAR system? It can help both cars and defense units drive autonomously.
Creating a new composite material? It can be used for stronger ship hulls and tank armor.
Innovating on a new drone? It can deliver packages for e-commerce giants or supplies to the battlefield.
In Germany, many people cringe when they hear defense tech. And many venture capitalists are restricted by their investors from investing in defense tech directly. So, it’s more common to talk about dual-use technologies that may have both civilian and defense applications.
But, in fact, there are defense applications. As the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 showed, these are not just nice to have. They are essential to defend democracy and ensure we continue to enjoy human rights and the freedoms we have today in the Western world.
Defense technology is often seen as morally ambiguous, as it can enhance security and save lives, but it can also be used to cause harm and destruction. So, its benefits must be carefully weighed against the risks and ethical challenges. However, it should not be lumped together with industries like drugs, porn, and gambling. We need innovators to defend democratic principles and values when necessary.
When I saw the Gundo boys going viral on X, I messaged Jonatan that we should do something similar in Munich. And here we go: Last week we officially launched the registration for The European Defense Tech Hackathon.
It will take place on June 28-30, 2024, as a satellite event of the Festival of the Future in Munich. You can register for the event on Luma:
Our goal is to bridge the gap between technologists, the public sector, investors, and operators of dual-use and defense technologies, with a focus on two key areas:
Preserve lives in conflict: Participants will develop innovative solutions with both civilian and defense applications
Protect the information environment: Ensuring cyber superiority in both wartime and peacetime by safeguarding our informational environment.
The hackathon is the first step in building a network of defense tech innovators in Europe, and a longer-term initiative to turn the hackathon projects into commercially viable products and companies, helping them secure funding and become ready for deployment.
We’re proud to count Inflection.xyz, Helsing, TYTAN Technologies, ARX Robotics, Auterion, Entrepreneur First, D3 Venture Capital Firm, Project A, Bundeswehr University Munich, and TUM Venture Labs Aerospace as our sponsors and partners.
Now it’s your turn to take action! Get involved, join us in Munich from June 28 to 30, 2024, or reach out if you’d like to support us in any other way.