NATO defense innovation leaders to gather in Tallinn

TALLINN - On September 21, Defence Innovation Day will bring together representatives of the defense and public sectors, technology companies, investors, and end-users from Estonia and other NATO countries in Tallinn.

The day's focus is on practical opportunities for developing, testing, funding, and implementing defense and dual-use technologies in real-world environments.

Defence Innovation Day is being held for the second time. Last year, the event drew participants from 29 countries. This year's registrations indicate broad international interest from defense and public sector organizations, embassies, investors, universities, research institutions, critical infrastructure stakeholders, and technology companies.

The event reflects Estonia's growing role in defense innovation and Tehnopol's work to connect companies developing defense and dual-use technologies with practical industry knowledge, testing opportunities, investors, and international networks.

"Estonia has a strong position for developing defense innovation because we have a good understanding of the sector's real needs, can act quickly, and know what it takes for new technologies to actually reach users. Defence Innovation Day helps bring together companies, investors, and end-users to accelerate the development and deployment of breakthrough solutions. In this way, Tehnopol supports the growth of ambitious technology companies and strengthens Estonia's role in international defense innovation," said Anne-Liisa Elbrecht, Head of the Tehnopol accelerator and the NATO DIANA accelerator in Estonia.

The program focuses on scaling defense innovation, lessons learned from Russia's war against Ukraine and battlefield environments, and strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure and borders.

Discussions will address urgent capability needs, increasing resilience, and how policy, funding, and procurement can support the development, testing, and faster deployment of new technologies.

Confirmed speakers and panelists include Kadri Tammai, Regional Director of NATO DIANA; Kaimo Kuusk, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence; Major Ivo Peets, Commander of the Future Capabilities and Innovation Command; Janne Hietala, CEO of Kelluu, a company that participated in the NATO DIANA accelerator; and Siim Sukles, Undersecretary for Defence Industry and Innovation at the Ministry of Defence, who will deliver the opening speech.

Companies that participated in the NATO DIANA accelerator in Estonia will also be present, including Poland's IS-Wireless and the UK's DATAMBIT, who will present their solutions in the startup booth area and in on-stage presentations.

Their participation will highlight concrete examples of how the innovation accelerator's support, testing opportunities, and international networks help dual-use and defense-oriented companies shorten the path from technical product development to pilot projects and clients.

In addition to the stage program, visitors can explore the booths and technology presentations of more than a dozen startups, meet with companies developing defense and dual-use solutions, and network with defense sector investors, public sector representatives, and innovation ecosystem partners.

Defence Innovation Day will take place on September 21 at Kultuurikatel in Tallinn. The event will be held in English, and attendance is in-person only. Admission is free, but registration is required, and the final list of participants will be confirmed by the organizers.

The event is organized by the Tehnopol Science and Business Park and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications through the NATO DIANA accelerator in Estonia. The event is supported by the Ministry of Defence. The content of one thematic block is being developed in cooperation with Sparkup Tartu Science Park.

Defence Innovation Day is one of the central events of Estonian Defence Week. This year, Estonian Defence Week will bring more than 4,000 participants from Europe and allied countries to Tallinn.

Estonian Defence Week will take place in Tallinn from September 21 to 25, and the program also includes the Defence Industry Symposium, the NATO Open Innovation Conference & Expo (NOICE), the Annual Baltic Defence Conference (ABCD), the Tallinn Defence Expo, the City Resilience Hack, and several other specialized events in the defense and security field.

Estonian Defence Week is organized by the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence. The event aims to strengthen cooperation between governments, armed forces, and the defense industry, and to accelerate the integration of new technologies into practical defense capabilities.