EUDIS Business Accelerator Bootcamp #4 in Rome

October 2025

The first cohort of the EUDIS Business Accelerator landed in Rome a few days ago for three days immersed in the Italian defence innovation ecosystem, connecting with institutions, industry leaders and end-users.

The EUDIS Business Accelerator, part of the European Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), supports 20 European start-ups and scale-ups through an 8-month programme to strengthen their position in the European defence ecosystem. Through tailored coaching, on-site bootcamps across the EU, access to testing facilities, and a seed financing voucher, participants gain direct exposure to key defence stakeholders and investors.

The first cohort runs from June 2025 to February 2026, focusing on four future defence capabilities:

– Collaborative Combat & Autonomous Operations
– Combat Medicine & Battlefield Health Resilience
– Cyber Warfare & Information Superiority
– Disruptive Technologies for Defence Superiority

The bootcamp offered startups the opportunity to challenge their approaches and refine their value propositions through hands-on sessions and B2B matchmaking with major industrial players.

During the first two days, participants engaged with a remarkable line-up of Italian and European stakeholders shaping the future of defence and dual-use innovation. They met with Leonardo, MBDA, RINA, FINCANTIERI, Thales Alenia Space and Blackshape Aircraft, as well as Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, to exchange on innovation, industrial collaboration and commercialization in space and defence.

A dedicated investors panel brought together CDP Venture Capital SGR, Keen Venture Partners, AVM SGR, Obloo Ventures and Primo Capital, exploring funding strategies to scale dual-use innovation across Europe.

Startups also took part in a training session hosted at IAI – Istituto Affari Internazionali and Confindustria, led by Alessandro Marrone and Alberto Carboni, focused on aligning innovation roadmaps with institutional priorities and operational needs.

On the final day, teams reworked their pitches to better address end-user expectations, guided by Claire Nestier, Christophe Eugene and Pasquale Di Palma, who provided direct feedback and actionable insights.

Next stop: Krakow, early December.

At Starburst, we offer start-ups a unique platform enabling them to meet the right people in the defence ecosystem.

Interested? Reach out to us.