BraveTech EU 

BraveTech EU is an EU-Ukraine defence innovation initiative designed to accelerate the development, testing, and uptake of innovative defence technologies.

Launched in July 2025 by the European Commission and Ukraine, the initiative builds on the lessons learned from the battlefield where emerging disruptive technologies are addressing the rapidly evolving operational needs.

The European Defence Agency (EDA) is responsible for Phase II of BraveTech EU, which it implements under a Contribution Agreement with the European Commission worth €35 million.

Objectives

BraveTech EU selects promising defence technologies responding to needs identified on the battlefield, tests them, puts them through operational experimentation and helps them mature. The initiative aims to shorten the path from the lab to operational capability by supporting the development, operational testing and deployment of cutting-edge defence technologies.

BraveTech EU fosters collaboration between EU and Ukrainian innovators, facilitates the participation of startups, SMEs and research organisations in defence innovation, and promotes experimentation in realistic operational environments.

Ultimately, BraveTech EU contributes to a more resilient and competitive European Defence Technological and Industrial Base and enhances European defence readiness.

Organisations involved

BraveTech EU is implemented through a close partnership between the European Commission, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and Ukraine's BRAVE1 defence innovation cluster.

• The European Commission provides the strategic direction and funding for the initiative. It also leads Phase I.
• EDA is responsible for Phase II, including the operational experimentation of selected technologies, leveraging its experience from the Hub for European Defence Innovation (HEDI).
• BRAVE1 cluster helps identify relevant emerging technologies and contributes with its extensive network within the Ukrainian defence innovation ecosystem. It provides access to operational expertise, technological innovators and battlefield-informed requirements.

How BraveTech EU Works

BraveTech EU runs as a pipeline consisting of two consecutive phases. Participants enter through Phase I - DefTech Forges. Successful teams progress to Phase II for operational experimentation. There is no direct entry to Phase II: only teams that win a Forge go forward to the experimentation campaigns.

The programme runs in successive cycles. Each cycle opens with a new round of DefTech Forges at two European locations and continues into Phase II. Multiple cycles are planned between 2026 and 2028.

The programme is open to eligible startups, SMEs, scale-ups and other innovators working on defence solutions at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above. Each cycle addresses urgent operational priorities defined by EU Member States, Norway and Ukraine.

Each cycle comprises two phases

Phase I – DefTech Forges

The first phase starts with intensive, five-day events bringing together selected innovators, military and technical experts and mentors. The teams work on predefined challenges, develop and refine their solutions in a hands-on environment.

Throughout the Forge, participants receive mentoring and feedback from defence end users and technical experts. The objective is to mature the technologies, strengthen their operational relevance and prepare the teams and their solutions for the next stage of the programme.

Each Forge concludes with a structured pitch to an Evaluation Committee. Three winning teams per Forge receive €120,000 each and progress to Phase II.

Phase II – Operational Experimentation

Phase II takes the technologies into operational experimentation campaigns run by EDA. Only the teams selected through Phase I can participate.

This phase builds on EDA’s experience in Operational Experimentation (EU OPEX) under the Hub for European Defence Innovation (HEDI). Selected technologies are assessed through realistic military scenarios in field conditions, allowing military end users and technical experts to evaluate their operational performance, interoperability and maturity.

The formats vary. Each campaign is designed around the participating technologies and the objectives agreed with the host nation. The campaign may run on its own or be integrated into a wider national exercise.

Phase II consists of two consecutive experimentation campaigns.

• The six teams selected through Phase I enter the first campaign. The best four then progress to the second campaign, each receiving €300,000.
• During the second campaign, the four teams further develop and experiment with their solutions. Two ultimate winners are selected, each receiving a €500,000.

Phase II identifies technologies with the greatest potential for future capability development and operational adoption. The results also provide valuable feedback to the innovators, allowing them to further refine their solutions.

Strategic Importance

BraveTech EU represents a strategic step towards strengthening innovation in European defence. It accelerates the development of technologies with high potential and creates more effective pathways from innovation towards operational capability.

By combining the innovation capabilities of the European defence ecosystem with Ukraine's operational experience, the initiative supports emerging technologies that respond to real military needs and can be rapidly assessed in operationally relevant environments.

At the same time, BraveTech EU reinforces cooperation between the EU and Ukraine, supports the growth of innovative startups and SMEs within the European and Ukrainian defence innovation ecosystems. For enquiries, contact: bravetecheu@eda.europa.eu.