On 11 March 2026, three winning teams from the Autumn 2025 edition of the EUDIS Defence Hackathon — Trusk (Netherlands), RAID (Portugal) and True Sight (Italy) — pitched their solutions at the European Defence Fund (EDF) Info Days in Brussels.
The EDF Info Days gathered defence stakeholders, innovators, investors and institutional representatives from across Europe. During the second day of the event, the three EUDIS teams took part in thematic pitch sessions focused on consortium building and proposal development. They also joined dedicated investor sessions, connecting with fellow investors and exploring funding and partnership opportunities through targeted pitching rounds.
Their presence at the EDF Info Days marked the next step in the structured EUDIS pathway — from local hackathon victory to European-level exposure.
Turning Hackathon Solutions into European Defence Opportunities
The journey began at the Autumn 2025 edition of the EUDIS Defence Hackathon, hosted simultaneously across multiple European countries. Each local hackathon selected a winning team based on technological maturity, operational relevance, and market potential.
All local winners were then invited to compete at the EU Wide Pitching — the European-level stage of the hackathon. During this session, teams presented their solutions to a high-level jury composed of defence, innovation, and institutional experts. Following this evaluation, three teams – Trusk, RAID and True Sight – were selected as final winners and granted access to the structured EUDIS follow-on mentoring programme.
Participation in the EDF Info Days formed part of this European-level exposure and ecosystem engagement, reinforcing the hackathon’s objective: connecting mature defence solutions with real ecosystem opportunities.
Meet the Teams
Trusk (Netherlands) – Tactical Autonomy for Counter-UAS
Amsterdam-based Trusk develops platform-agnostic terminal guidance software for autonomous interceptor drones, targeting high-speed threats such as Shahed-type attack drones, FPVs and reconnaissance UAVs
The company focuses on one of the most complex challenges in counter-drone defence: terminal guidance at high speed, optimised for low latency and aggressive manoeuvres. Its autonomy stack integrates navigation, planning, target acquisition, swarming and terminal guidance modules, delivering full tactical autonomy — enabling missions to be executed semi- or unsupervised while maintaining operational awareness.
Designed to operate on low-cost computing units and sensors, the software allows scalable and economically efficient deployment against asymmetric threats. With existing traction including contracts and testing partnerships, Trusk used the EDF Info Days to position itself for future EDF consortia in counter-UAS, autonomous systems and air and missile defence, actively seeking European partners.
RAID (Portugal) – Resilient, Distributed Radar Architecture
RAID presented a distributed mesh radar platform designed to increase resilience in airspace awareness
Rather than relying on large, static radar stations vulnerable to disruption, RAID deploys networks of modular illumination and receiver nodes that remain operational even if individual units are compromised. Its architecture enables secure, sovereign data control while supporting coalition interoperability.
Targeting national defence procurement authorities and major defence primes, RAID demonstrated how scalable and cost-effective radar infrastructure can respond to evolving drone and electronic warfare threats. The EDF Info Days provided an opportunity for direct discussions on integration pathways and consortium-building under future EDF calls.
True Sight (Italy) – Augmented Reality for Shared Operational Awareness
True Sight introduced an augmented reality system designed to convert fragmented sensor feeds into a shared, real-time 3D operational picture.
By combining AI-powered stereo cameras, LiDAR and mixed-reality overlays, the system enables operators to visualise tracked objects and movements directly within their field of view, even without line of sight. Designed for defence and government teams operating in high-risk environments, the solution enhances coordination, safety and decision-making in time-critical scenarios.
At proof-of-concept stage but with a clear roadmap toward a fieldable system, True Sight used the EDF Info Days to explore collaboration with European industrial partners and potential consortium leaders in advanced situational awareness technologies.
The Added Value of EUDIS
The participation of Trusk, RAID and True Sight at the EDF Info Days illustrates the structured added value of the EUDIS Defence Hackathon pathway.
EUDIS is not limited to a weekend competition. Through the EU Wide Pitching and the subsequent mentoring programme, selected teams receive tailored support in refining their positioning, strengthening business models, aligning with defence market needs and preparing for European-level visibility.
At the same time, the hackathon provides value well beyond the final winners. It offers all participating teams access to defence experts, end-users, investors and institutional stakeholders within a coordinated European framework. It enables validation, strategic alignment and early consortium discussions — critical steps for scaling defence-relevant technologies in Europe.
For mature startups, deep-tech teams and defence innovators seeking integration into the European defence ecosystem, the EUDIS Defence Hackathon represents a concrete entry point — offering access to mentoring, European-level visibility and direct engagement with defence stakeholders.
The next edition of the EUDIS Defence Hackathon will take place across eight European countries from 26 to 28 March 2026, bringing together innovators to address the challenge of Defending Airspace.
Be part of the new wave of innovators across Europe testing technologies, connecting with key actors in the defence ecosystem and unlocking new collaboration opportunities.
Applications are open until 20 March 2026, register here.
