Romania to Host BraveTechEU DefTech Forges, Advancing Defense Innovation

The Romanian Space Initiative (ROSPIN) has been selected as the Local Organizer for the second edition of BraveTechEU DefTech Forges, set to take place from November 9 to 13, 2026. This initiative, spearheaded by the European Commission, aims to accelerate the development of defense and dual-use technologies across the continent.

This year’s event will occur simultaneously in Germany and Romania, showcasing the collaborative spirit of European innovation. ROSPIN is partnering with Civitta, Starburst, Darkstar, the 'Nicolae Bălcescu' Land Forces Academy, Defense-X, and Cluj Hackathon to bring together startups, scale-ups, and SMEs with military end-users, technical experts, mentors, and industry representatives.

The program spans five days, focusing on four key themes: unsupervised ground sensors, autonomous strike unmanned aerial systems, resilient UAS operations in electronic warfare, and rapid adaptation to battlefield conditions. Participants will have the unique opportunity to test their solutions in real operational environments, benefiting from controlled exposure to electronic jamming and direct feedback from military end-users.

Three winning teams from the Romanian edition will each receive €120,000, part of a total of six prizes available across the event. Winners will also enter a two-month mentorship program and gain access to Phase II—coordinated testing and operational evaluation campaigns led by the European Defence Agency. Additionally, selected teams can compete for extra funding of up to €1,000,000.

Applications are open until September 6, 2026, inviting participants from the EU, Norway, and Ukraine who are developing defense solutions at a technology readiness level (TRL) of 4 or higher. Participants must provide a functional prototype, with a special encouragement for international teams from the EU and Ukraine.

The initiative reflects the maturity of Romania's defense innovation ecosystem, confirming its capacity to host European teams testing technologies under real operational conditions. An online informational webinar is scheduled for August 25, 2026, providing prospective participants with essential details about the event.

BraveTechEU DefTech Forges is a key component of a broader initiative that includes six planned events across three cycles until March 2027, marking a significant step forward in fostering defense innovation within the region.