Defence Innovation Day opens Estonian Defence Week with focus on frontline lessons and technology adoption

On 21 September, Defence Innovation Day is bringing together an international audience of defence leaders, technology companies, investors, end-users and public sector representatives to Tallinn to discuss and find practical solutions on how defence and dual-use technologies are developed, tested, funded and adopted in real-world environments.

Defence Innovation Day returns after last year’s edition brought participants from 29 countries to Tallinn. This year, registrations already reflect a broad international audience, with interest from defence and public sector organisations, embassies, investors, universities, research institutions, critical infrastructure actors and technology companies from Estonia and across NATO countries. 

The event reflects Estonia’s growing role in defence innovation and Tehnopol’s work in connecting defence and dual-use companies with operational insight, testing opportunities, investors and international networks. 

“Estonia has become a strong place for defence innovation because we are close to the need, fast in how we work and realistic about what it takes for technology to be useful. By organising international events such as Defence Innovation Day, Tehnopol is committed to helping ambitious technology companies grow, accelerate the adoption of breakthrough solutions, and strengthen Estonia’s position as a global innovation leader,” said Anne-Liisa Elbrecht, Head of Tehnopol Accelerator and Head of the NATO DIANA Estonian Accelerator.

The programme centres on connected themes: scaling defence innovation, learning from Russia’s war against Ukraine and frontline environments, and strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure and borders. The programme will look at urgent capability needs, resilience, as well as policy frameworks and procurement pathways.

Among the confirmed speakers and panellists are Kadri Tammai, Regional Director at NATO DIANA, Kaimo Kuusk, Permanent Secretary at the Estonian Ministry of Defence, Major Ivo Peets, Head of Force Transformation Command at the Estonian Defence Forces, Janne Hietala, CEO of Kelluu (an alumnus of the NATO DIANA accelerator), and Siim Sukles, Undersecretary for Defence Industry and Innovation at the Estonian Ministry of Defence, who will deliver opening remarks.

The event will also feature NATO DIANA Estonian Accelerator alumni, including IS-Wireless (Poland) and DATAMBIT (UK), who will present their solutions through startup booths and on-stage pitches. Their participation brings concrete examples of how accelerator support, testing opportunities and international networks can help dual-use and defence-first companies move from technical development towards customers, pilots and adoption pathways. 

Alongside the stage programme, visitors will be able to explore more than a dozen startup booths and technology showcases, meet companies working on defence and dual-use solutions, and network with defence stakeholders, investors, public sector representatives and innovation ecosystem actors. 

Defence Innovation Day will take place on 21 September 2026 at Tallinn Creative Hub. The event is held in English and is in person only. Participation is free of charge, but registration is mandatory and subject to approval by the organisers.

The event is organised by Tehnopol Science and Business Park and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications through the NATO DIANA Estonian Accelerator. It is supported by the Ministry of Defence of Estonia. One thematic block is shaped with input from Sparkup Tartu Science Park.

Defence Innovation Day is an official event of Estonian Defence Week 2026, which is expected to convene more than 4,000 participants from across Europe and allied nations. 

Taking place in Tallinn from 21–25 September 2026, Estonian Defence Week will additionally feature Defence Industry Symposium, the NATO Open Innovation Conference & Expo (NOICE), the Annual Baltic Defence Conference (ABCD), Tallinn Defence Expo, City Resilience Hack and several specialised industry events.

Estonian Defence Week is organised by the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association in cooperation with the Estonian Ministry of Defence. The event aims to strengthen cooperation between governments, armed forces, defence industry and innovators while accelerating the transition from emerging technologies to operational capabilities.