“Without security you can’t continue anything else" - the view from Ukraine
Issue 08: Learning from Germany, Brave1 investing in Ukrainian startups, and announcements from Vizgard and Kry10
Good afternoon from the team at Resilience Media
We are two weeks away from The Future of Defence Tech Manufacturing & Innovation event, held at the Munich Security Conference Innovation Day and programmed in partnership with the US Defense Innovation Unit.
One of the reasons we’re excited to hold the event in Munich is to highlight the creative ways Germans are thinking about innovation. In a guest post exclusive to Resilience Media, Dr. Daniel Biene, Innovation Entrepreneur shares how the German government has effectively deployed civilian reserves with technical expertise into the national security and defence ecosystem. Are there other governments doing something similar? Let us know any examples you are aware of.
Last week we were privileged to attend an investor event at the Ukrainian Embassy which featured Brave1 and a group of Ukrainian startups. Afterwards, Resilience Media and Point Zenith hosted a dinner for the Embassy, Brave1, and a group of investors. More below in our Dispatches From section.
It was another good news week for participants in our last conference, with Kry10, who spoke on our stage, and Vizgard, who pitched in our Launch program, both in the news. Check out the On Our Radar section below to read more.
-Leslie, co-founder, Resilience Media
We are always looking for innovative ways the military is working with the tech sector. We were excited to hear about how Germany's military reserve system is using an innovative approach to leveraging civilian expertise for national defence. Central to this effort is the Cyber Innovation Hub of the German Armed Forces (CIH), which serves as a platform for bottom-up innovation and cross-sector collaboration. By drawing on the skills of reservists and civilian professionals, the Bundeswehr (the German armed forces) is fostering a culture of creativity and modernisation that addresses both immediate challenges and long-term transformation. Read more here.
Last week we attended an important event at the Embassy of Ukraine in London to promote investment into Ukrainian defence tech startups. The event was hosted by Denys Demko, the First Secretary, who welcomed Artem Moroz, the Head of Investor Relations at Brave1 to host this Brave1 Demo Day. The Embassy was filled to capacity by investors, and the very tight security at the door was a reminder that Russia is fighting this war on our streets as well as in Ukraine.
Reminding us why we are all working in this field, Denys opened the event by telling the audience, “this is about business, but it is also about an investment in your security and the security of your families.” Read what we learned here.
Munich Security Breakfast: Munich, 13 February 2025. Our friends at the Munich Security Breakfast are hosting a networking event for startups and investors in defence and dual-use within the framework of the Munich Security Conference. Spaces are limited, startups can apply here.
European Defence Tech Hackathon: Join 150+ hackers from all across Europe and beyond for the third edition of the European Defence Tech Hackathon on February 13-16, 2025, in Munich. Apply to attend here.
Brave1 Defence Tech Innovation Forum: the event in Kyiv on February 18–19 arrives at a pivotal moment for Ukraine’s defence tech ecosystem. As the defence tech industry gains momentum, Brave1 has curated a platform that showcases the tech innovation developed by Ukrainians to defend their country, and brings together global stakeholders, from manufacturers and investors to government representatives and defence experts. More here.
AI
Vizgard Secures £1.5 Million Funding to Enhance AI in Defense and Public Safety
Drones
China claims Death Star like directed energy weapon
NATO
Estonia launches €100m Defence Fund
Europe is under attack from Russia. Why isn’t it fighting back?
Harmful Western bank policies hit miltech startups
New EDA Head Kallas calls for EU Single Market for defence
National Security
Interview: Ex-Head of Mossad on Hamas, Ceasefire, and Netanyahu (Uzi Arad)
NATO Plans to Share Classified Military Intelligence with Industry, EU
Trump’s Threat to U.S. Intelligence
Kry10: Cyberagentur signs five contracts for the "Verifiably secure IT ecosystem" research program