The event primarily brings together experienced industry professionals and start-ups, in addition to students, technology communities, industry representatives, and defence stakeholders for three intensive days focused on developing solutions to concrete defence challenges.

The hackathon is part of the EU’s EUDIS programme (European Defence Innovation Scheme) and is conducted in parallel across several European countries. The Norwegian host is the NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster, in collaboration with key partners: NTNU, SINTEF, StartupTRD, the Norwegian Army Weapons School, the Home Guard School and Competence Centre, NORBIT, Fremtidens Industri, Ocean Autonomy Cluster, and Testination.

“This is a unique opportunity to connect technology, operational experience, and industry to develop solutions that can actually be deployed,” says Tevje Ravn Eggan, Cluster Manager at NORDSEC.

Tevje Ravn Eggan, klyngeleder i NORDSEC. Foto: Lars bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Theme: Defending Airspace

The Spring 2026 edition has the main theme Defending Airspace, with the following challenges:

Challenge 1: Cost-effective drone interceptors
Challenge 2: Next generation drone detection systems
Challenge 3: Local Organiser–Defined Challenge: Multi-domain Operations

The themes reflect some of Europe’s most pressing defence and security needs, based on European cooperation with Ukraine and the strategic priorities of the EUDIS programme.

Participants will develop innovative and applicable solutions in air defence and drone technology. The objective is to advance concrete concepts that can be further developed and put into use. The hackathon targets start-ups and industry professionals in particular, in addition to students who want to develop or refine an idea or concept. Participants may register individually or as teams.

Time, venue and programme

Dates: March 26–28, 2026
Location: NTNU’s innovation hub Gruva, Trondheim
Duration: 3 days

April 6: Mentor programme kick-off
June 11: Live pitching for EU-wide competition

The event is supported by research environments, relevant defence sector stakeholders, and industry partners, and gathers participants from across the Nordic and Baltic regions.

Mentors and prizes

Participants receive close follow-up from mentors with backgrounds from defence, research, and industrial development.

The mentor programme enables participants to further develop their solutions after the hackathon, connect with European defence stakeholders and decision-makers, and expand their professional networks — particularly valuable for early-stage start-ups.

EUDIS Defence Hackathon Norway – Prizes

1st place – EUR 6,000
2nd place – EUR 3,000
3rd place – EUR 1,500

Trondheim as a defence innovation arena

Through the event, NORDSEC aims to strengthen Trondheim’s role as a key arena for defence innovation in the Nordic region.

“Trondheim is already one of Norway’s strongest technology regions, with close collaboration between academia, industry, and the public sector. Through this hackathon, we are taking a new step in connecting this expertise to defence and security needs,” says Torbjørn Lundberg, Project Manager at NORDSEC.

An important objective of the hackathon is to strengthen cooperation between civilian innovation environments and the defence sector. The format is designed to make it easier for new actors to contribute technology and solutions to defence-related problem areas.

“We see a growing need to mobilise the whole of society to meet future security challenges. This event is a concrete measure to connect new actors to the defence domain,” says Tevje Ravn Eggan.

Torbjørn Lundberg, prosjektleder i NORDSEC.Foto: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Registration and contact

Registration is now open. Practical information and programme details will be published continuously.

Contact persons:

• Tevje Ravn Eggan – cluster manager NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster
  📞 +47 401 05 809
  📧 tevje@fi-nor.no
• Torbjørn Lundberg – Senior Advisor / Project Manager, NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster
  📞 +47 932 08 917
  📧 torbjorn@fi-nor.no