Building better conditions for startups and SMEs to thrive was the central focus of the recently concluded Defence Tech Denmark kick-off event. Hosted at EIFO, the event brought together startups, SMEs, industry partners, and public stakeholders working to strengthen Denmark’s defence and security technology ecosystem.
Designed to help startups move from promising ideas to deployable solutions, the programme is run by Teknologisk Institut and DTU Science Park, with funding from EIFO, Innovationsfonden and Industriens Fond.
A key message from the event was the importance of acting early and deliberately. As Christina Egelund, Minister for Higher Education and Science, echoed the well-known saying: “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
For startups, this resonates strongly because they must innovate, collaborate, build fast, and scale to stay relevant in a very uncertain and ever-changing world.
Additionally, building advanced technology is not only about innovation, but about making the right technical, regulatory, and strategic choices early enough to avoid unnecessary risk later.
Many startups face similar challenges when transitioning from prototype to product: limited access to specialised expertise, uncertainty around compliance requirements, and the need to prove robustness in real-world conditions. Defence Tech Denmark addresses these challenges by creating a structured environment where startups can access knowledge, testing capabilities, and networks that support this critical phase of growth.
For EKTOS, participating in and following initiatives like this is an important way to stay close to the needs of early-stage companies. As Mette Dam, Account Manager and Startup Segment Responsible at EKTOS, explains:
“Startups often have strong ideas and technical ambition, but they don’t always have access to key resources needed to turn early designs into products that are ready for production, compliance, and long-term use. That’s where collaboration across the ecosystem really makes a difference.”
EKTOS supports startups and scaleups at all stages through long-term partnerships, investing engineering expertise and resources to actively support their growth over time.
By sharing hands-on experience in system architecture, regulatory compliance, and production readiness, they help teams make informed decisions early in the development process. This early involvement reduces the risk of late-stage redesigns, shortens development cycles, and strengthens startups’ ability to build solutions that scale reliably.
“We continue to work hard to become your Startup Technology Partner of choice in Denmark and Europe,” added Mette Dam.
As Denmark continues to invest in strategically important technologies, initiatives like Defence Tech Denmark reiterate how collaboration between startups, public programmes, and experienced industry partners can turn innovation into lasting impact.
To learn more about how EKTOS can support your project, write to info@ektos.net
