The prestigious event, focused on developing cutting-edge counter-drone solutions, will bring over 200 top engineers, military experts, and investors to the Ukrainian capital from November 6-9.
KYIV, UKRAINE – In a significant nod to its burgeoning status as an epicenter of defense innovation, Kyiv will host the renowned European Defense Tech Hackathon for the first time. The event, organized by the European Defense Tech Hub (EDTH), has already made its mark in over a dozen major European cities and will now bring its high-impact format to the country where military technology is being tested and redefined daily.
From November 6 to 9, more than 200 of the brightest minds in engineering, alongside strategic investment funds, established tech companies, and active military personnel, will converge to forge the next generation of battlefield technologies. This year’s central challenge: designing and building advanced solutions to counter enemy drones.
Why Kyiv? A Nexus of Experience and Ambition
The choice of Kyiv is a deliberate one, reflecting Ukraine’s unparalleled real-world experience in modern warfare and its vibrant community of innovators.
“We host hackathons to accelerate the development of defense technologies by attracting talented and motivated people to the industry”, the European Defense Tech Hub stated. “After more than 20 events in 15 European countries, we are coming to Kyiv – a city that has become a hotbed of defense innovation and ambitious people. We believe that a secure future is possible thanks to the Ukrainian military, technology, and partnerships. We look forward to meeting you!”
A Mission Created in Collaboration
Beyond the intensive 48-hour hacking session, the event will feature a dynamic agenda of expert lectures, hands-on workshops, and project presentations. The challenges presented to the competing teams are being shaped by those with direct experience on the front lines—the Ukrainian military.
This mission-critical focus is sharpened by the collaboration with local co-organizer Moodro, a Ukrainian company, and event partner Nordic Air Defence.
“Today, defense solutions are not just about technology, but a shared responsibility for all who are capable of creating innovation”, says Mykhailo Obod, founder of Moodro. “We are convinced that uniting engineers, the military, and entrepreneurs at such events is the path to real change on the battlefield and to strengthening our collective security”.
A Proven Platform for Breakthroughs
Since its launch in 2024, the EDTH network has become a powerful force in Europe’s defense ecosystem. It has successfully united over 2,000 participants and 150+ teams to solve more than 150 real-world defense challenges in cities like Munich, London, Paris, Lviv, Copenhagen, Warsaw, and Amsterdam.
The Kyiv event aims to continue this legacy, connecting a powerful mix of government representatives, military brigades, technologists, and investors to accelerate breakthrough solutions that will serve both Ukraine and the broader European defense landscape.
Innovators, engineers, and experts are invited to join the event as participants or mentors. Registration is now open at the following link: https://luma.com/edth-2025-kyiv
Source: MILITARNYI
