WHY DEFENCE TECH IS EMERGING AS ONE OF EUROPE'S FASTEST-GROWING STARTUP SECTORS
Not long ago, defence technology was rarely part of the European startup conversation. Today, it is attracting record levels of investment, new venture funds, and increasing political attention as governments seek to strengthen Europe's technological resilience.
It is one of the reasons the Global Startup Awards has introduced Best Defence Tech Startup as a new competition category within Europe for Edition 12.
The category recognises European startups developing dual-use or defence-specific technologies that strengthen regional security, from autonomous systems and secure communications to AI-powered software and cyber defence.
A SECTOR ON THE RISE
Governments across the continent have significantly increased defence spending while also recognising that startups have an important role to play in developing next-generation technologies.
In March 2024, the European Commission unveiled the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS), a long-term plan aimed at strengthening Europe's defence industry and encouraging greater innovation across Member States.
At the same time, NATO launched its €1 billion NATO Innovation Fund, investing in startups developing dual-use technologies across AI, space, advanced manufacturing, energy resilience, and quantum technologies.
Together, these initiatives signal a clear shift: defence innovation is no longer driven solely by large contractors. Startups are becoming an increasingly important part of Europe's security ecosystem.
DUAL-USE INNOVATION IS DRIVING GROWTH
Much of today's defence innovation has applications far beyond military use.
A drone developed for infrastructure inspections can also support emergency response. Satellite technology used for Earth observation can assist disaster management as well as border surveillance. Cybersecurity platforms protecting businesses can also strengthen national critical infrastructure.
This concept of dual-use technology has become one of the defining characteristics of Europe's defence tech ecosystem, opening the sector to founders from software, AI, robotics, and engineering backgrounds.
RECOGNITION FOR A GROWING ECOSYSTEM
As investment grows and new opportunities emerge, visibility becomes increasingly important for early-stage companies.
That is why the Global Startup Awards has introduced Best Defence Tech Startup as one of thirteen new startup categories for Edition 12.
The category sources and celebrates European startups developing technologies that contribute to regional security, democratic resilience, and strategic autonomy while recognising that many of these innovations create value across both civilian and defence applications.
Entrepreneurship has always evolved alongside society's biggest challenges. Today, defence technology is becoming one of the sectors where European founders have an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
As the ecosystem continues to mature, recognising the startups driving this innovation is becoming just as important as investing in them.
Nominations are fully open for Edition 12, so make sure to nominate a deserving startup and/or founder in your region here: https://www.globalstartupawards.com/competition-portal-edition-12