If you are developing technologies that could shape the future of defence, this is your opportunity.
Registrations are now open for the 5th edition of the EUDIS Defence Hackathon, taking place onsite from 15 to 17 October 2026 across eight locations in Europe. Engineers, startups, researchers, developers and defence professionals are invited to join one of Europe’s flagship defence innovation initiatives, work on real operational challenges and connect directly with experts, industry leaders and fellow innovators shaping the future of European defence.
This autumn, participants will tackle one of the most pressing topics in defence innovation: Autonomy on the Battlefield. From operating in GNSS-denied environments to enabling autonomous swarms for reconnaissance and logistics, teams will develop practical solutions with real-world relevance. Alongside these two challenges, each host location will also propose a third challenge reflecting regional priorities and expertise.
More than a hackathon
The EUDIS Defence Hackathon is designed for innovators who want to go beyond ideas. Over three intensive onsite days, teams will work side by side with mentors from the defence industry, research organisations and operational environments to develop solutions addressing genuine capability needs.
The onsite format is at the heart of the experience. It gives participants the opportunity to collaborate directly with fellow innovators, engage with defence experts and end-users, and build valuable relationships within Europe’s growing defence innovation ecosystem. Whether you are looking for future collaborations, industry insights or your first step into the European defence market, EUDIS is designed to create meaningful connections.
But the experience does not end there.
Winning teams will undergo a Mentoring Programme, a two-month programme offering expert guidance on product development, business strategy and defence market positioning. Participants will also take part in dedicated defence innovation bootcamp, receive support to refine their solutions and have opportunities to pitch their projects to investors and other stakeholders. Together, these activities help accelerate promising ideas while opening the door to Europe’s defence innovation ecosystem.
Join a growing European innovation community
Since its launch, the EUDIS Defence Hackathons has brought together more than 2,300 participants through 30 hackathons organised across Europe. Each edition strengthens connections between innovators, industry, investors, defence stakeholders and EU institutions, creating new opportunities for collaboration and helping innovative technologies move closer to real-world deployment.
The Autumn 2026 edition will take place simultaneously in:
- Austria
- Cyprus
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Norway
- Portugal
- Sweden
Ukrainian participation encouraged
The European Commission actively encourages Ukrainian citizens to participate across all locations, whether as competitors, mentors or jury members. Ukrainian expertise and operational experience continue to play an important role in developing innovative and deployable defence solutions.
How to participate
Registrations are now open for the Autumn 2026 EUDIS Defence Hackathon.
The programme is open to startups, SMEs, engineering teams, researchers and technology professionals from eligible countries who are ready to tackle real operational defence challenges and collaborate with Europe’s defence innovation community.
Key dates
- Participant registrations: Open now
- Hackathon: 15–17 October 2026 (onsite)
- Location: Soave (Verona)
Interested? Register today and find full details on the challenges, eligibility criteria and local hackathon locations at: