Join us for the EUDIS Defence Hackathon 2025 and be a part of the next wave of Defence innovation.
We invite local organizations across EU Member States and Norway to become official hosts for the 2025 EUDIS Hackathon.
Share your expertise and guide participants through the hackathon, helping them bring their ideas to life.
Participants will gain professional recognition for their contributions
Network with Europe's Defence innovators
Boost your career with a European award
Unlock expert guidance with top mentors
Take a look at the slides from our recent info webinar on the Open Call.
The EUDIS Defence Hackathon 2025 will focus on three key themes: Hardware Innovations for Ukrainian Defence, Civillian Defence and Community Resilience, and Hybrid Warfare Defence and Response. Mark your calendar as the next EUDIS Hackathon will take place from May 9 to May 11, 2025. These dates represent an exciting opportunity for participants across Europe to collaborate on innovative solutions to address critical challenges in the defence sector.
In the new edition, citizens of any EU Member State, Norway, or Ukraine, residing in the EU, Norway, or Ukraine and aged 18 or older, are welcome to join the hackathon.
The EUDIS Defence Hackathon is your chance to be part of Europe’s evolving defence landscape, drive innovation, and build valuable connections. Here are some reasons why you should join:
Gain visibility and acknowledgment within the European defence sector. This hackathon is financed and supported by the European Commission and is a part of EU Defence Innovation Scheme , offering you a unique platform to showcase your ideas on a grand scale.
Connect with experts from the defence sector, innovators, and policy-makers. Networking opportunities like these can help build professional relationships and open doors for future collaboration in the industry.
Develop and refine your skills in key areas such as military hardware innovation, cybersecurity, and hybrid warfare response. Workshops, mentor guidance from the EU defence industry, and hands-on experience during the hackathon provide valuable training that you can leverage in your career.
Gain one-on-one guidance from experienced mentors who can help you navigate complex challenges and strengthen your solution. Mentors are top professionals in their fields, providing insights and real-world knowledge.
Work on real-world challenges that address critical needs in defence. The solutions you develop have the potential to directly impact and enhance Europe’s ability to respond to emerging threats.
Participate in workshops hosted by industry experts that help you learn more about specific technologies, problem-solving approaches, and teamwork techniques.
Play an instrumental role in nurturing the next wave of defence technology innovators. Your guidance will help participants create innovative, impactful solutions.
Connect with young professionals and students who are bringing fresh perspectives to the defence industry. It’s a great opportunity to identify talent that could be valuable for future initiatives in your organization or network.
By mentoring participants, you are directly contributing to European defence initiatives. It’s an opportunity to give back to the defence area and the industry and inspire the next generation to meet the growing challenges in defence and security.
Engage with other mentors, partners, and stakeholders in the event. It’s an excellent chance to cooperate with peers from diverse backgrounds within the defence sector and beyond.
By being involved, you are helping to advance Europe’s defence capabilities, ensuring greater preparedness and resilience against emerging threats.
The inaugural EUDIS hackathon, themed ‘Digital in Defence,’ took place from May 31 to June 2, 2024, bringing together participants from across Europe to innovate in the defence sector. This unique initiative brought together six visionary local organisers, fostering the birth of revolutionary ideas and innovative solutions in the defence sector. The event reinforced Europe’s defence industry with a focus on Subsea Infrastructure Protection, Improving Situational Awareness, and Cybersecurity in Defence.
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The EUDIS Defence Hackathon is an initiative driven by the European Commission to foster innovation in the defence sector. It aims to bring together the brightest minds across Europe to collaborate on key challenges related to defence, cybersecurity, and resilience.
The hackathon provides a unique opportunity for participants to engage with industry experts, tackle real-world defence issues, and contribute innovative solutions that enhance European defence capabilities. Through a blend of online and in-person events, the hackathon encourages teamwork, creativity, and technological advancement for a stronger European defence framework.
The European Defence Fund (EDF), a programme of the European Commission, is financing the EUDIS hackathons.
Encourage the development of innovative solutions by bringing together diverse talents from across Europe to collaborate on pressing defence challenges.
Utilize the collective expertise and creativity of participants to address and solve current issues facing the European defence sector.
Interested participants can start registering as individuals or as a team. Early registration is highly recommended to secure your spot and receive early information.
The final date to register for the hackathon. Make sure your team is signed up and ready by this date!
Get ready to dive into defence challenges. Teams will be formed based on individual skills and interests to ensure diverse and dynamic collaborations.
Get insights from our experts on what to expect during the hackathon. Learn about the structure, challenges, and opportunities to maximize your impact.
Engage in a focused mentorship phase where you'll refine your ideas with the help of experienced mentors and prepare your solutions for the hackathon.
Prepare yourself for a transformative experience that takes your ideas from concept to impactful solutions.
The EUDIS Hackathon Mentorship Program provides participants with invaluable support from experienced professionals in the defence sector. Through one-on-one guidance and structured sessions, mentors help participants navigate complex challenges, refine their innovative ideas, and enhance their projects to reach their full potential. This program ensures that participants not only develop solutions during the hackathon but also continue their journey of growth and innovation after the event, with the aim of making a lasting impact in the defence industry.
Participants will be paired with seasoned experts who bring years of experience from different areas of defence and technology.
Mentorship also provides career insights, helping participants understand the defence sector, explore career opportunities, and build valuable connections.
Mentors provide personalized feedback, helping participants strengthen their concepts, improve technical aspects, and better align with industry needs.
Post-hackathon mentorship sessions aim to transform promising projects into deployable solutions that can contribute to the broader defence ecosystem.
After the 2025 EUDIS Hackathon, winners will have the unique opportunity to participate in an exclusive EU-wide live pitching competition on July 9, 2025.
This is an exciting next step for the top teams to showcase their innovative solutions, compete against other top participants across Europe, and potentially secure further EU recognition and awards.
