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Bridging Innovation and Defence for a Stronger Europe

The ongoing global polycrisis has created a unique opportunity to build a foundation for new economic growth in Europe, and to create a new, high-tech foundation for the capacity of European militaries. For European high-tech SMEs to leverage defence budgets for unprecedented growth. For European investors to enter new, high-growth markets.

But for that to happen, Europeans need to take a fundamentally different approach, driven by startup mentality and ecosystems thinking. And, we believe that focus on Dual Use economy (as opposed to a purely defence-driven one) is the necessary part of this new approach.

Fostering a Collaborative Defence Innovation Ecosystem

Dual Nexus is a strategic initiative designed to break down existing barriers and build essential connections within the European dual-use landscape. We function as a central hub facilitating dialogue, partnerships, and project development, creating a closely knit ecosystem that enables the free flow of knowledge and capital between four key communities: defence, businesses, investors, and academia. We actively connect:

Defence Entities

Ministries of Defence, armed forces branches, procurement agencies, and defence innovation hubs across Europe seeking innovative solutions and defining requirements.

Businesses

Startups, SMEs, and established companies specializing in dual-use technologies (TRL 7-9), including technology providers and system integrators.

Investors

Private investors, venture capital funds, and governmental funding instruments (e.g., VLAIO, SRIW) looking for high-impact investment opportunities in the dual-use space.

Academia

World-leading research centers and universities contributing deep tech expertise and driving fundamental and applied research relevant to dual-use applications.

Connecting cutting-edge dual-use technology providers with European national defence organizations to accelerate capability development and enhance security.

Our Strategic Approach: Building the European Dual-Use Nexus

To deliver the necessary understanding, build a robust ecosystem, and catalyze new growth, Dual Nexus employs a focused four-step process:

Identify High-Impact Technologies:

Through one-to-one consultations with defence experts across Europe, we create a short list of TRL 7-9 dual-use technologies highly pertinent to European militaries within the next 2 to 5 years (e.g., AI, robotics, secure connectivity, autonomous systems).

Build Consensus on Promising Applications:

Working with defence and civilian stakeholders from across Europe, we build consensus on the most promising dual-use applications for these technologies, prioritizing investment opportunities across key industries (from search-and-rescue and media to mining and utilities).

Foster Ecosystem Awareness & Information Parity:

We disseminate the collected knowledge through curated channels, building awareness of dual-use opportunities among investors (both private and governmental), industry federations, key companies, research institutions, and other critical actors, creating essential information parity.

Catalyse New Ventures & Investment:

We host vibrant, large-scale events where military and civilian participants build solutions, explore technologies, and connect, catalyzing new business creation and strengthening the ecosystem through intense interaction.

We must act now

The translation of the newly committed percentages of GDP into real-world technological progress in technology is not going to happen fast.

Connecting the visionaries, the innovators across the defence and Dual Use economy is the critical first step to Europe regaining our technological edge, and every lost day makes it that much harder to catch up.

Shape the Future: Join Our Event on June 12th

Be a part of building Europe's dual-use innovation ecosystem.

When and where? On the 12th of June, 18:00 at Be Central in Brussels.

What you’ll do:

Find out what we’ve learned so far, and hear directly from key actors - Belgian Defence and European counterparts, investors, and entrepreneurs - what challenges they expect in seizing this enormous opportunity
Work with other participants to form your own opinion of these challenges
Discover the role you and your organisation can play in the Dual Use economy
Network with remarkable individuals

Be a part of building Europe's dual-use innovation ecosystem.

When and where? On the 12th of June, 18:00 at Be Central in Brussels.

What you’ll do:

Find out what we’ve learned so far, and hear directly from key actors - Belgian Defence and European counterparts, investors, and entrepreneurs - what challenges they expect in seizing this enormous opportunity
Work with other participants to form your own opinion of these challenges
Discover the role you and your organisation can play in the Dual Use economy
Network with remarkable individuals

About Dual Nexus

Dual Nexus is a strategic initiative powered by Hack Belgium Labs. We leverage our extensive experience in building large-scale innovation projects and fostering dynamic ecosystems, including successful initiatives like the Battlefield of Things Hackathon for Belgian Defence, three editions of Hack Belgium, and international collaborations such as Hack4Oceans. Our mission is to translate this experience into building Belgium as a key European hub for Dual Use innovation. We've already seen strong enthusiasm from potential partners, including major primes and technology companies, demonstrating the relevance and potential of this initiative.

Who is behind Dual Nexus?

Dual Nexus is a strategic initiative powered by Hack Belgium Labs, leveraging their experience in building large-scale innovation projects and fostering ecosystems.

What is "Dual-Use Innovation"?

Dual-use innovation refers to technologies, products, and services that have applications and benefits in both civilian and defence sectors.

What is the timeframe for the technology opportunities you are focusing on?

We are focusing on identifying and catalyzing opportunities for dual-use technologies (TRL 7-9) that are pertinent to defence needs within the next 2 to 5 years.

How can I contribute to Dual Nexus?

You can contribute by expressing your interest, participating in our events and consultations, sharing your expertise, or exploring collaboration opportunities as a technology provider, defence representative, investor, researcher, or industry partner.

What types of partners are you engaging?

We are actively building connections between defence entities, businesses (startups, SMEs, large industry), investors (private and governmental), and academia.