Well Defended
Berlin, July 6, 2026 – Summer may be just around the corner, but Berlin’s innovation calendar is far from winding down. During the final parliamentary week before the summer recess, the capital will once again bring together leaders from across the defense and technology ecosystem. From July 6–12, 2026, Berlin Defense Tech Week will convene innovators from technology, industry, academia, government, the startup community and the public sector to explore new approaches to security, defense, and the protection of critical infrastructure. Organized by the European Defense Tech Hub and supported by partners including Drone Aid Collective, Marienpark and Berlin Partner, the week offers founders, industry leaders, researchers, and technology experts a platform to exchange ideas, share expertise, and build new partnerships.
At the heart of the program is a multi-day hackathon, where developers, engineers, and other specialists will work on real-world challenges drawn from the defense and security sectors. The goal is to develop practical solutions to clearly defined use cases while testing innovative technologies with real-world applications in security and defense. The hackathon is complemented by a program of eight additional events. Highlights include the Berlin Defense Tech Forum on July 8, featuring discussions on strategies and innovation for defense technology startups, alongside startup pitches and networking opportunities with more than 100 participants. Also on July 8, the Legal Forum hosted by the law firm V14 and partner organizations, will provide practical guidance on fundraising, intellectual property, export controls, compliance and corporate structures. On July 9, Build with Ukraine Day will bring together representatives from industry, defense, and finance to discuss how strategic partnerships can help meet NATO's evolving operational needs.
Berlin Partner will also play an active role throughout the week. In particular, AMBER, the capital region's 3D Printing Cluster, will contribute several workshops to the hackathon program on July 9. The sessions will explore applications of additive manufacturing in defense technology, covering practical use cases, production processes and emerging technologies. Participants will also receive information on funding opportunities for startups, Berlin's innovation ecosystem, and European funding programs supporting defense technology. The workshops are aimed primarily at startups, founders, and companies looking to enter the sector, offering an accessible introduction to the field while providing valuable opportunities to build expertise and establish new connections.
Beyond startups, Berlin Defense Tech Week also offers established companies and highly skilled professionals an ideal platform to forge partnerships, exchange knowledge and drive innovation together. As the city heads into its summer break, the event once again demonstrates why Berlin has become one of Europe's leading destinations for collaboration at the intersection of technology, security and innovation.
