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.
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
Frank Leidenberger
Lt. Gen. Frank Leidenberger
Former CEO of BWI
Former CEO of BWI
David Chinn
David Chinn
David Chinn
Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company
Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company
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.
Enabler Areas
Enabler Areas
Capacity Building & Production Ramp-Up
Scaling defence manufacturing by leveraging dual-use and civilian industrial capacity.
Capacity Building & Production Ramp-Up
Scaling defence manufacturing by leveraging dual-use and civilian industrial capacity.
Wargaming & Simulation
Operational wargaming and simulation to test capabilities, expose gaps, and inform force development and procurement.
Wargaming & Simulation
Operational wargaming and simulation to test capabilities, expose gaps, and inform force development and procurement.
Software-Defined Defence Systems
Rapid integration and virtual testing of software-driven defence systems to accelerate deployment and interoperability.
Software-Defined Defence Systems
Rapid integration and virtual testing of software-driven defence systems to accelerate deployment and interoperability.
Partners
Partners
& more
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Build With Europe's Best
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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