On 1 and 2 July 2026, the EUDIS Business Accelerator welcomed its second cohort of 20 high-potential defence and dual-use start-ups and scale-ups to Paris. As one of five specialized bootcamps organised across Europe under the European Commission's EUDIS Business Accelerator, this event brought together entrepreneurs, military representatives, defence industry leaders, investors, and business experts. The gathering highlighted Europe's commitment to fostering closer collaboration between innovation and operational needs, significantly strengthening the continent's defence innovation ecosystem.
Day 1: From Strategic Insight to Operational Dialogue
The first day of the Paris Bootcamp was dedicated to the French vision for defence innovation. Representatives from the French Armed Forces presented their strategic priorities, future capability needs, and the pivotal role of innovation in addressing tomorrow's operational challenges. Through keynote presentations and panel discussions, participants gained first-hand insight into military requirements and the evolving needs of defence end-users.
Building on these strategic insights, each start-up participated in two dedicated pitching sessions with representatives from across the military spectrum:
- The French Army
- The Air and Space Force
- The Navy
- Cyber Defence
These direct exchanges enabled companies to present their technologies straight to potential end-users, receive critical operational feedback, and better understand how their solutions could address real-world defence challenges.
To conclude the day, an exclusive networking cocktail brought together around a hundred guests to discuss pressing defence topics. This unique gathering united former military personnel (including former generals and admirals) alongside investors, founders, start-ups, institutional representatives, and prime contractors. It offered participants an unparalleled opportunity to network, exchange insights, and dive deeper into the broader French defence industry and ecosystem.
Day 2: Navigating the French and European Defence Ecosystem
The second day shifted focus toward the practicalities of the French defence ecosystem, exploring how innovative technologies can be successfully integrated into the wider European defence industrial base.
Through highly interactive keynote presentations, panels, and roundtable exchanges, the cohort:
- Discussed concrete collaboration opportunities with major defence companies.
- Explored technology testing and integration pathways.
- Exchanged views on future capability needs.
- Engaged directly with specialised defence investors.
In total, the Paris Bootcamp created a unique environment where operational expertise, industrial perspectives, and entrepreneurial innovation converged, bringing together more than 20 military representatives, 23 representatives from the defence industry, eight experienced coaches, and several specialised investors.
Building Europe's Defence Innovation Ecosystem
The EUDIS Business Accelerator is designed to do more than support the growth of individual companies. By creating opportunities for direct engagement between innovators, defence end-users, industry leaders, and investors, the programme helps innovative technologies evolve into operational capabilities that respond directly to Europe's strategic priorities. By connecting these vital communities, the initiative actively contributes to strengthening Europe's technological sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, and defence resilience.