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EUDIS Matchmaking at Engaged Investments Conference

EUDIS Matchmaking – Engaged Investments Conference 2026 Application

Prague | 22 October 2026

EUDIS Matchmaking is inviting up to 10 investment-ready defence innovators to join us in Prague on 22 October for a dedicated Defence Startup Showcase on the conference's main stage, presenting to an audience of international investors, defence-focused VCs, industry primes, European Commission representatives, and the wider defence innovation ecosystem, alongside the Ukrainian startup ecosystem also being brought to Prague this year.

Organised in cooperation with DEPO Ventures, this track provides direct access to Central Europe's leading investor-focused gathering.

Event Format & Structure 

Defence Startup Showcase (22 October, main stage) |  A dedicated session featuring live pitches from the 10 selected innovators.

Cocktail Hour (22 October, evening) | A closing networking reception for selected innovators, investors and conference attendees. 

What selected innovators will receive 

- A dedicated pitching slot during the Defence Startup Showcase on the conference's main stage. - Support with pitch preparation.

- Access to the conference's B2B matchmaking platform, to arrange 1:1 meetings with investors and other attendees.

- A post-event contact database of conference attendees.

- Access to the Cocktail Hour networking reception on the evening of 22 October.

- Visibility through EUDIS Matchmaking and Engaged promotion.

Who should apply? 

We are looking for defence innovators that:

- are currently raising investment or planning to raise within the next six months; 

- have a solution at TRL 4–9; 

- can present a clear and credible investment proposition; 

- are ready to engage directly with investors, corporates and policymakers; 

- can travel to and attend the event in Prague on 22 October 2026. 

Key dates 

Application deadline | 27 September 2026 

Applicants notified of selection results | 2 October 2026 

Event in Prague | 22 October 2026 

Important notice
Participation in the programme and event access for selected companies are provided by EUDIS Matchmaking. Travel and accommodation are not covered.
About EUDIS Matchmaking EUDIS Matchmaking is a flagship initiative of the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), enabled by the European Defence Fund (EDF). We bridge the gap between defence innovators and the broader European defense ecosystem to accelerate industrial growth and technological sovereignty.

Have you already been accepted into the EUDIS Matchmaking Platform?

A
B

What is your full name?

What country are you from?

What is your e-mail address?

Example: john.smith@myeuropeancompany.eu

What is the name of your organisation?

In which country is your organisation based?

What is your role/title at your organisation?

What is the current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the solution you would like to pitch?

A
B
C
D
E
F

Are you currently raising investment or planning to raise within the next 6 months?

A
B
C

Tell us about your current or upcoming funding round.

Please indicate the amount you are looking to raise, the type of funding sought (e.g. equity, convertible instrument), expected timing, current status of the round, etc.

Has your organisation received funding through the European Defence Fund (EDF)?

A
B
C

What is your current level of engagement with the defence sector?

Select all that apply.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I

Please briefly describe your current defence-sector engagement.

Where relevant, include key defence customers, end-users, primes or public-sector partners; the nature and current status of the engagement (e.g. discussions, partnership, pilot, contract); and any significant recent developments.

Briefly describe the solution you would like to pitch at the Engaged Investments Conference.

Please focus on the product or technology, the problem it addresses, its key value proposition, and its relevance to the defence sector.

WHY do you want to join this event?

Please outline what you are hoping to achieve by attending this event. Include your specific goals, such as the number and type of investors you aim to connect with, the number of potential customers you hope to identify, or the kind of strategic partnerships you wish to explore. Please be as specific as possible, including names or numbers (where relevant).

HOW will the potential connections fit into your growth strategy?

Please elaborate on the relevance of the connections you aim to make at this event to your overall growth strategy. Describe the specific outcomes you anticipate achieving through these connections and how they will help you reach your key milestones (e.g., securing seed funding, entering a new market segment, validating your technology with end-users).

Is your organisation subject to control by a country/entity established outside the EU, Norway or Ukraine?

To be eligible, your company should not be subject to control by a country/entity established outside the EU, Norway, Ukraine.

Control is to be understood as the possibility to exercise decisive influence on your company (notably in relation to its strategic business decisions), directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediate entities "de jure" or "de facto". Please refer to EC guidelines .

I acknowledge, that:

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