When Geopolitics Meets Tech: How Defense is Shaping Europe’s Innovation Landscape

As geopolitical tensions rise, defense is becoming a central force shaping Europe’s innovation priorities, capital flows, and industrial strategy. Technologies are increasingly dual-use, and startups, investors, and governments are redefining their roles in a rapidly evolving security landscape. How is defense reshaping Europe’s innovation model? This session explores how startups and scale-ups are positioning themselves, the role of private capital alongside public funding, and how governments are building stronger ecosystems. At the intersection of security, technology, and finance, the discussion examines what this shift means for sovereignty, competitiveness, and Europe’s technological future.