London's first defense tech hackathon brings Ukraine war closer to London startups

Image credits: Civilian programmers and military gather for London's first defense technology hackathon

Last week, the UK announced that: largest in history Military aid package to Ukraine. THis bill would take total UK support this year to £3bn. While it's less than the $50 billion recently pledged by the United States, it's still a significant amount.

But while most of these funds will be spent on very traditional military hardware, a new technology initiative launched last weekend aims to strengthen Ukraine's asymmetric warfare capabilities against Russia. It was. actual, London Defense Technology Hackathon This was the first ever event to bring together some of the UK's brightest minds in technology, venture capital and national security in a military setting. The idea was to hack ideas to help Ukraine while at the same time creating a much more porous layer between the fast-paced civilian technology world and the very different military world.

Compiled by Alex Fitzgerald skyral and Richard Pass's future forcesthe two were joined by co-sponsors including the Honorary Artillery Company. apollo defense, lambda automaton Especially D3 VC.

The event brought together skilled developers in both hardware and software to foster innovation in defense, national security, and deep technology. Emphasis was placed on drones and their applications on the battlefield, both the hardware and electronic systems needed to fly them to targets and counter-drone systems.

As most observers of war have pointed out, this war has taken on a whole new dimension compared to previous wars. Ukraine has sought to repel its much larger aggressor, Russia, in asymmetrical ways, with drones and electronic countermeasures now the norm.

Fitzgerald told me: There are three groups of people who come to these events. There are builders, investors, and the military. I think everyone is trying to convince their colleagues to think more about defense technology as an option to build or invest in. ”

He explained that there are two main areas of research: electronic warfare and unmanned aerial vehicles or air systems. “There's an acronym I learned from someone smarter than me: The future of defense technology will be small, cheap, and unmanned.”

He explained that one of the main objectives is to get people who have not traditionally been involved in defense to build and invest in defense. “We have people like the NATO Innovation Fund and the UK National Security Strategic Investment Fund. Well, we have people who are already investing in defence, and we have people who have never thought about investing before.”

He chose the hackathon format because “the focus is on getting things done. Don't just talk about architecture. Hire actual builders. Because that's where most of the innovation happens.” Because it's actually happening.”

One of the inspirations for this event was recent. Defense Technology Hackathon, El Segundo, California In February of this year.

“I think the important thing about military technology is to make it as easy to use and as powerful as the consumer technology that has been built,” Fitzgerald said. Often the most modern military systems. ”

Representative Katarina Buchatsky also attended the event. apollo defense. As the engineers stared at the cameras, Starlink, and drones, she said to me: “Defense technology is a tough industry to break into. And for obvious reasons, this market is hard to break into. Defense technology can seem like a giant black box of contracts that take 10 years and technology to build. We've found that hackathons are a really exciting way for people to get involved. [are often] hidden from public view. Hackathon time is his 24 hours. Make something really cool. ”

Interceptor completed

He said the company has had “a lot of success” in this effort. el segundo event.

“We now realize if people think it is something that is accessible to them. [and] They want to participate because they can do something right away and make an impact,” she told me.

Buchatsky, a Ukrainian, also spoke strongly about Ukraine: When I say I need a drone detector, I'm looking at the drone detector outside my window and my neighbor is about to get killed because it didn't detect it in time. It's from. That is the reality we are facing. ”

She added that it's important for hackathon participants to know “that they're building for someone else and that it could actually save a family's life.”

Despite controversy over defense technology in some quarters, she added: “To be involved in technology is to be interested in a better future. And I really, really can't think of a more interesting and better future than one that guarantees security and peace.”

NATO was also represented in the form of the NATO Investment Fund, a €1 billion fund to invest in defense technology over the next few years.

Fund partner Patrick Schneider-Sikorsky said the fund was “created to support startups that strengthen collective defense safety and resilience.” We invest in dual-use deep technology, and this fund was conceived before the Ukraine war. Conflict is currently having a significant impact on our investment thesis, and we are keen to invest in defense technologies that make Europe safer and more secure. ”

But why did NATO fund the hackathon?

“I think defense technology is new to a lot of founders and developers,” Schneider-Sikorsky said. “It's not that easy for them to understand the problem statement and challenges and reach end users.”

He said the hackathon format was particularly well-suited to that, saying, “Typically, for many founders it takes months, if not years, to get in touch with the right people at the Department of Defense; are here today. So, hopefully things will accelerate significantly.”

Another participating investor is Alex Flamant of HCVC“Europeans needed to invest in the right defense technology. From an investor perspective, there seemed to be limits to what certain investors could invest in. One of this goal was to It's about demystifying what this is all about among builders, and really getting people more in tune with the larger mission that we're all working on.”

Machine learning experts were there to focus on drone detection. “It's in our knowledge of machine vision and object detection. Ukraine is fighting for all of Europe right now, and obviously the UK is at the center of that. We're going to ally with them and help them. It is essential to take advantage of what is available.”

The Hasson was held at a time of heightened tensions over the use of technology in defence.

Google, for example, recently fired 28 employees following sit-in protests over its controversial Project Nimbus contract with Israel.

But it is clear that defense is emerging as a technology challenge.

Anduril recently moved The Pentagon's plans to develop unmanned combat aircraft are moving forward, and, as we learned last year, venture capital more broadly opening The door to defense technology.

And in England, talk a lot How many high-powered lasers will be included in the next wave of weapons? The Ministry of Defense says the Dragonfire weapon is accurate enough to hit a £1 coin from a kilometer away and costs just $15 to fire.

of Projects born from hackathons It may not be very sci-fi, but it was pretty close. How about “high speed”? interceptor To defeat the Orlan Drones? ” And at least it is likely to be fielded much sooner than laser guns.