Defence in the Darkness Week 2025
Welcome to the Darkness! Join us for a week of dual use, defence, and security events during the biggest startup. Whether you’re a startup, scaleup, investor, support organisation, or simply dual-use curious, this is your chance to connect, learn, and explore cutting-edge tech shaping the future of defence and security.
Please note that each event has their own registration and entry criteria.
More information can be found here.
Pre-Slush
Growth Companies in the Defence Sector – Strategy & Tactics
Organizer: Hannes Snellman Attorneys Ltd
12 November 2025
Description: Warming up for Slush Week, DDE, FVCA, Hannes Snellman, Nordic West Office, and Pillsbury are pleased to invite you to a Slush side event: Growth Companies in the Defence Sector – Strategy & Tactics, taking place on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 at the Hannes Snellman office, Eteläesplanadi 20, Helsinki.
This high-level gathering will bring together investors, legal and policy experts, and technology leaders to explore the strategic and regulatory dimensions of the defence and dual-use technology sectors. As global security priorities evolve, the defence tech landscape is becoming increasingly relevant for innovation-driven investment.
Request to join on the Slush Platform!
DEFINE Accelerator companies’ Demo Day
Organizer: Defence Innovation Network Finland
17 November, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: DEFINE Innovation Hub, Riihimäki, Pohjoinen Asemakatu 5
Description: Join us for the DEFINE Demo Day, a premier event dedicated to showcasing the latest advancements in defence technology and innovation. Witness live demonstrations from the DEFINE Accelerator companies and connect directly with industry pioneers and key stakeholders.
Please note the registration is invite only.
Knights of Nordics
Organizer: Enter Espoo & VTT
17-18 November, 2025
Register: invite only
Description: Espoo sets the stage for our 13th annual Knights of Nordics. Join us to spot the next wave of unicorns created in our deep tech ecosystem.
In the two days leading up to Slush, we’ll spotlight exceptional founders, share inspiring keynotes, and wrap up with the exclusive Knights of Nordics dinner party.
Tuesday 18th (Slush Day 0)
DECOI 2025 – Defense Ecosystem of Innovators
Organizer: FiBAN and EUDIS Matchmaking
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Valo Hotel and Work, Mannerheimintie 109, Helsinki.
Description: Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN) and EUDIS Matchmaking are proud to host Northern Europe’s largest Defence pitch event on November 18th together with partners: Patria, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Enterprise Estonia.
This exclusive event will feature selected startups and scale-ups presenting their cutting-edge solutions to a distinguished audience of Angel Investors, Defence VCs, and key representatives from the Military Industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and collaborate!
BORDERLAND – Security Eastern Finland
Organizers: Kuopio, Joensuu, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Imatra, University of Eastern Finland, and LUT.
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Epicenter, Mikonkatu 9, Helsinki, Finland
Description: BORDERLAND Goes SLUSH will bring together approximately 300 participants—ranging from startups and investors to technology companies and organizations interested in dual-use solutions, with a particular focus on digital border security. The event is co-organized by seven organizations from Eastern Finland.
Thursday 20th (Slush Day 2)
Airbus Kicksled – Dual-use technologies for security & defence
Organizer: Airbus Defence and Space
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Partner Side Event Wing, Venue 2 in Messukeskus
Description: The Airbus Kicksled is a high-impact side-event built around a reverse pitch where Airbus will present key topics under three main themes. This dynamic forum is designed to move beyond presentations and into partnership-building. Our focus is on boosting dual-use innovation, exploring how technologies can be applied across commercial, security, and defence sectors to build a safer, more sustainable future.
This event is for founders, C-level executives, and technical leaders from growth-stage startups working on cutting-edge solutions. We are looking for companies in the following domains:
- Sensor Technologies & Integration
- Cybersecurity
- AI & Machine Learning
Innovating for Resilient Futures: Accelerating dual-use startups in NATO DIANA 2026
Organizer: VTT
Time: 1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Location: Messukeskus – Slush venue, VTT booth 7B5
Description: Explore how cutting-edge deep tech is transforming resilience and security across sectors. This session will showcase VTT’s Dual-Use LaunchPad’s role and Finnish participation in NATO DIANA 2026 (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) for dual-use startups.
Learn about opportunities for dual-use startups and investors to engage with national and international platforms that are advancing solutions for a safer, more resilient future.
SLUSH: Harness the Power of Supercharged Ecosystems for Your Company’s Success
Organizers: 6G Bridge Program, Defense & Digital Resilience Program & Generative AI Campaign of Business Finland.
Time: 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Business Finland Happiness Lounge, Room 208, Conference Center, Helsinki Exhibition Center
Description: Join our unique matchmaking event at Business Finland Happiness Lounge where leading companies operating in Finland and visionary startups connect to co-create the future through transformative digital solutions related to dual-use, defence, and AI as well as other emerging technologies and disruptive innovations. You can join this event without a Slush ticket!
Ukraine Friends Night
Organizer: Advicera, Business Finland, Business Helsinki, F-Secure, Peikko, City of Vantaa
Description: A pivotal invite-only event is the Ukrainian Friends’ Night, where Finnish and Ukrainian representatives, investors, and officials gathered to explore potential collaborations.
Past speakers included the Ukrainian Ambassador, Finnish MFA, Finnpartnership, Business Finland, and others.
In collaboration with
