Knowledge is the key factor for Europe’s security. Knowledge-sharing between Ukraine and Finland means combining Ukraine’s wartime ingenuity and first-hand experience against Russia, with Finland’s advanced defence systems and resilience expertise. Together, through our acceleration partnership, we can turn this shared knowledge into faster innovation and stronger collective defence. Startups from both batches will gain access to a combined network of resources, expertise, and validation pathways that span from real battlefield environments to NATO-aligned defence forces.

Bringing together wartime innovation and tech excellence

17Tech brings extensive expertise in cooperating with multiple countries' defence forces, international business, and tech development capabilities, as well as managing accelerators across 12 countries. They also provide startups with access to international prime contractors and a well-developed investor network.

Defence Builder contributes top-tier expertise and access to up-to-date battlefield feedback, enabling real-world testing in Ukraine. With 15 startups already accelerated across two batches, of which six battlefield-tested or already deployed their solutions, in total have received nearly €4 million in soft commitments, and nine verified with the Ukrainian military and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Defence Builder has proven its ability to transform battlefield-driven technologies into scalable solutions.

Sami Luukkonen, 17Tech’s Chairman of Board, comments: “The partnership between Defence Builder and 17Tech marks a groundbreaking moment in the defence innovation ecosystem. By merging Ukraine’s modern wartime experience with Finland’s world-class deep tech expertise, we’re creating a one-of-a-kind defence technology accelerator – something truly unprecedented in today’s landscape.”

Line Rindvig, CEO of Defence Builder, emphasises the strategic importance of this partnership: “Ukraine is developing tomorrow’s defence technologies and sharing hard-won knowledge while fighting for its freedom. Finland understands this and knows that modern warfare is won through superior capability delivered at speed. Our purpose in partnering with 17Tech is to transform this shared knowledge into advanced innovation and a faster, more resilient collective defence - for Ukraine and Europe.”

“This is truly an exciting milestone for Ukrainian, Finnish, and European defence technology. Together, we’re unlocking synergies and collaboration potential that have never before existed in the defence accelerator space,” says 17Tech’s Co-founder Antti Kosunen.

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