Signals From the Frontline
Europe's defence innovation is fragmented. Capability gaps get recognised too late. We close this gap.
Signals From the Frontline
Europe's defence innovation is fragmented. Capability gaps get recognised too late. We close this gap.
Signals from the Frontline
Turning NATO frontline needs into Europe’s next-gen defence capabilities.
Designed for Impact
Designed for Impact
NIF, Lakestar, McKinsey & Deep Tech Momentum are launching a closed workshop series that turns real NATO frontline needs into early capability signals — enabling faster cooperation between NATO (allied) armed forces, primes, and Europe's top dual-use innovators before requirements harden.
NIF, Lakestar, McKinsey & Deep Tech Momentum are launching a closed workshop series that turns real NATO frontline needs into early capability signals — enabling faster cooperation between NATO (allied) armed forces, primes, and Europe's top dual-use innovators before requirements harden.
NIF, Lakestar, McKinsey & Deep Tech Momentum are launching a closed workshop series that turns real NATO frontline needs into early capability signals — enabling faster cooperation between NATO (allied) armed forces, primes, and Europe's top dual-use innovators before requirements harden.
Our aim is to create a trusted, repeatable innovation pipeline where armed forces, defence primes, leading startups (TLR 7+), and private capital align early on the capabilities that Europe will urgently need next.
Our aim is to create a trusted, repeatable innovation pipeline where armed forces, defence primes, leading startups (TLR 7+), and private capital align early on the capabilities that Europe will urgently need next.
Our aim is to create a trusted, repeatable innovation pipeline where armed forces, defence primes, leading startups (TLR 7+), and private capital align early on the capabilities that Europe will urgently need next.
The initiative is supported by senior defence leaders including:
The initiative is supported by senior defence leaders including:
Lt. Gen. Tom Copinger-Symes
Lt. Gen. Tom Copinger-Symes
Lt. Gen. Tom Copinger-Symes
Former Deputy Commander, UK Strategic Command
Former Deputy Commander, UK Strategic Command
Gen. Chris Badia
Gen. Chris Badia
Gen. Chris Badia
Former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, NATO
Former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, NATO
Lt. Gen. Frank Leidenberger
Lt. Gen. Frank Leidenberger
Former CEO of BWI
Former CEO of BWI
Rafael Ocejo Arias
Rafael Ocejo Arias
Partner at McKinsey & Company
Partner at McKinsey & Company
David Morpurgo
David Morpurgo
David Morpurgo
Deputy Commander of the Deployable Air Command
NATO
Deputy Commander of the Deployable Air Command
NATO
Christian Bock
Christian Bock
Christian Bock
Head of Innovation Center,
Bundeswehr
Head of Innovation Center,
Bundeswehr
Dr. Janar Pekarev
Dr. Janar Pekarev
Dr. Janar Pekarev
Deputy Commander of the Force Transformation Command for Innovation, Estonian Defence Forces
Deputy Commander of the Force Transformation Command for Innovation, Estonian Defence Forces
Sir Patrick Sanders
Sir Patrick Sanders
General (ret.) British Army
General (ret.) British Army
Lt. General Andreas Marlow
Lt. General Andreas Marlow
Lt. General Andreas Marlow
Former Deputy Chief of the Army & Commander of the Army's Military Base Organization
Bundeswehr
Former Deputy Chief of the Army & Commander of the Army's Military Base Organization
Bundeswehr
Guillaume de la Brosse
Guillaume de la Brosse
Guillaume de la Brosse
Head of Unit, Defence Policy and Innovation
European Commission
Head of Unit, Defence Policy and Innovation
European Commission
Ben Moores
Dr. Janar Pekarev
Ben Moores
Former Procurement Adviser to the UK Secretary of State for Defence
Former Procurement Adviser to the UK Secretary of State for Defence
Cornelius Heinemann
VP R&D Technology & Strategy
Rohde & Schwarz
VP R&D Technology & Strategy
Rohde & Schwarz
Format
Across key defence capability themes, we convene:
NATO capability planners and senior armed forces decision-makers (OF-5 / OF-6)
Defence primes
Europe’s leading defence and dual-use innovators (TRL 7+)
Participants work together to develop a shared target picture for the defence capabilities Europe will need next.
This is not a pitching forum. Participation is focused on early demand insight, capability definition, and alignment between defence customers, primes, and leading innovators—well before programmes are formally defined.
The workshop series takes place 20 May 2026 in Berlin during DTM.Defence, bringing together a select group of NATO capability planners, senior military leaders, defence primes, and Europe’s most advanced dual-use innovators.
Across key defence capability themes, we convene:
NATO capability planners and senior armed forces decision-makers (OF-5 / OF-6)
Defence primes
Europe’s leading defence and dual-use innovators (TRL 7+)
Participants work together to develop a shared target picture for the defence capabilities Europe will need next.
This is not a pitching forum. Participation is focused on early demand insight, capability definition, and alignment between defence customers, primes, and leading innovators—well before programmes are formally defined.
The workshop series takes place 20 May 2026 in Berlin during DTM.Defence, bringing together a select group of NATO capability planners, senior military leaders, defence primes, and Europe’s most advanced dual-use innovators.
Across key defence capability themes, we convene:
NATO capability planners and senior armed forces decision-makers (OF-5 / OF-6)
Defence primes
Europe’s leading defence and dual-use innovators (TRL 7+)
Participants work together to develop a shared target picture for the defence capabilities Europe will need next.
This is not a pitching forum. Participation is focused on early demand insight, capability definition, and alignment between defence customers, primes, and leading innovators—well before programmes are formally defined.
The workshop series takes place 20 May 2026 in Berlin during DTM.Defence, bringing together a select group of NATO capability planners, senior military leaders, defence primes, and Europe’s most advanced dual-use innovators.
Capability Focus Areas
Capacity Focus
Areas
Innovation Ready DefTech Procurement
Agile acquisition models, rapid testing and fielding, streamlined certification, and closer collaboration with startups and dual-use innovators to accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge defence capabilities.
Agile acquisition models, rapid testing and fielding, streamlined certification, and closer collaboration with startups and dual-use innovators to accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge defence capabilities.
Agile acquisition models, rapid testing and fielding, streamlined certification, and closer collaboration with startups and dual-use innovators to accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge defence capabilities.
Drone & Aerial Defence
Cost-effective counter-UAS capabilities combining detection, tracking, and defeat of mass, low-cost aerial threats.
Cost-effective counter-UAS capabilities combining detection, tracking, and defeat of mass, low-cost aerial threats.
Cost-effective counter-UAS capabilities combining detection, tracking, and defeat of mass, low-cost aerial threats.
Cost-Effective Deep Precision Strike
Affordable long-range precision effects integrated with resilient ISR and targeting chains.
Affordable long-range precision effects integrated with resilient ISR and targeting chains.
Affordable long-range precision effects integrated with resilient ISR and targeting chains.
Space-Enabled Situational Awareness
Space-based and terrestrial data for ISR, PNT resilience, and early warning across contested multi-domain operations.
Space-based and terrestrial data for ISR, PNT resilience, and early warning across contested multi-domain operations.
Space-based and terrestrial data for ISR, PNT resilience, and early warning across contested multi-domain operations.
Partners
Partners
& more
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Build With Europe's Best
Secure your place at Europe’s No. 1 Deep Tech Innovation Marketplace
Get Tickets to DTM26 now
Secure your place at Europe’s No. 1 Deep Tech Innovation Marketplace
Get Tickets to DTM26 now