Are you working on groundbreaking drone technology, AI detection systems, or scalable counter-UAS solutions? This is your chance to validate, test, and showcase that technology at the European level. The EUDIS Defence Hackathon brings together high-potential startups, corporate teams, engineers, and defense innovators to tackle concrete (counter)drone challenges. This competition takes place simultaneously in eight European countries.

Three challenges:

• Cost-effective drone interceptors
• Next-generation drone detection systems
• Human–Machine Teaming for scalable Counter-UAS-operations (Ukraine-relevant use cases)

This is not a brainstorming event. You have a working prototype or validated core technology (minimum TRL 4), can work towards real-world validation at Unmanned Valley, and benefit from direct access to decision-makers and experts from the Ministry of Defence, TNO, NLR, and InnovationQuarter.

Why participate?

• Demonstrate and pitch your solution to the Ministry of Defence, leading defence companies and the European defence ecosystem.
• Win cash prizes and a European mentoring programme.
• Realize concrete opportunities for follow-up projects, pilots and collaborations.

For whom

This is an exclusively on-site hackathon. All selected participants must travel to the designated location and be present for the entire hackathon weekend (26-28 March 2026).

To be eligible, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must be 18 years or older.
• You must be a citizen and resident of an EU Member State, Norway, or Ukraine.
• You must be present in person and physically present for the entire duration of the hackathon.
• You must be part of a team (minimum of two members) before the start of the competition.

When and where

• Date: 26 - 28 March 2026
• Location: Unmanned Valley, Katwijk

More information and registration

For more information and registration, please refer to:

More information ans registration