DIGITALEUROPE Future Unicorn Awards

Dual Use Technology Unicorn AwardCivil-and-defence innovators building the technologies that keep Europe secure. In partnership with Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and Brave1 - Ukrainian Defence Innovations.

WHY THIS TRACK EXISTS

The most important thing Brussels has done for European defence tech in a decade. Civil-and-defence innovators, co-nominated with Ukraine's Ministry of Defence and Brave1.

Portrait of Peter Weckesser — Peter Weckesser
President, DIGITALEUROPE | CDO, Schneider Electric

Portrait of Peter — Peter Weckesser
President, DIGITALEUROPE | CDO, Schneider Electric

NOmination criteria

A scorecard for Europe’s strategic technology champions.

Eligibility filter

Has a dual-use technology that serves both civilian and military clients or a clear strategy to sell their technology to both civilian and military clients

Headquartered in Europe, including UA, CH, NO, TR.

Head-quartered in Europe, including UA, CH, NO, TR.

Twenty percent

year-on-year growth over three years.

€30M valuation or €10M annual revenue.

No Russian capital, limited Chinese exposure.

01

Growth potential

A credible path to €1B+ valuation, backed by strong market demand, momentum, and scale potential.

01

Growth potential

A credible path to €1B+ valuation, backed by strong market demand, momentum, and scale potential.

02

European value

A technology that strengthens Europe’s resilience, security, and strategic competitiveness.

02

European value

A technology that strengthens Europe’s resilience, security, and strategic competitiveness.

03

Ukrainian value

Clear relevance to Ukraine’s battlefield, defence, or rebuilding needs.

03

Ukrainian value

Clear relevance to Ukraine’s battlefield, defence, or rebuilding needs.

04

Execution viability

A mature team, solid runway, and technology ready to deliver measurable impact within two years.

04

Execution viability

A mature team, solid runway, and technology ready to deliver measurable impact within two years.

THE Award cycle

Eight months. From call to crown.

Twenty-nine countries.
One transatlantic bridge

June

Call for candidates from National Trade Associations & accelerators

Sep-Oct

October

Dec-Jan

3 Feb

4 Feb

THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM

Dual Use Technology Unicorn Award Jury 2026
Jury for 2027 to be announced soon

Peter Weckesser

President

DIGITALEUROPE

Benedikt Franke

CEO

Munich Security Conference

Jillian Manus

Managing Partner

Shield Capital

Max Büchner

CEO

Speer Group

Róbert Vass

President & Founder

GLOBSEC

Oksana Ferchuk

Advisor to Deputy Minister

Ministry of Defence Ukraine

THE RECORD

All Dual Use Technology Unicorn Award Winners

All Dual-Use Technology Award Winners

2026

Dual-Use Technology

Sateliot

Spain 🇪🇸

2025

Dual-Use Technology

Quantum Systems

Germany 🇩🇪

Partner with DIGITALEUROPE. Institutions, accelerators, investors and companies — one conversation opens the door.

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The most important thing Brussels has done for European defence tech in a decade. Civil-and-defence innovators, co-nominated with Ukraine's Ministry of Defence and Brave1.

The most important thing Brussels has done for European defence tech in a decade. Civil-and-defence innovators, co-nominated with Ukraine's Ministry of Defence and Brave1.

A scorecard for Europe’s strategic technology champions.

01

01

02

02

03

03

04

04

Eight months. From call to crown.

Twenty-nine countries. One transatlantic bridge

Dual Use Technology Unicorn Award Jury 2026Jury for 2027 to be announced soon

Peter Weckesser

Benedikt Franke

Jillian Manus

Max Büchner

Róbert Vass

Oksana Ferchuk

All Dual Use Technology Unicorn Award Winners

All Dual Use Technology Unicorn Award Winners

All Dual-Use Technology Award Winners

Sateliot

Quantum Systems

The awards that map Europe's next decade

The awards that map Europe's next decade

The awards that map Europe's next decade

Twenty-nine countries.
One transatlantic bridge

Dual Use Technology Unicorn Award Jury 2026
Jury for 2027 to be announced soon