Defense & Space

Bolstering Defences: Can Scale-up Funding Help Build New Defence Capabilities?

Necessity is a mother to an invention and with ongoing wars and increasing usage of drones bootstrapping defence capabilities is not unheard of. Nevertheless, the question of a scaling path remains. This panel explores this possibility, discussing different perspectives and mechanisms of scale-up funding in the defence context.

• Panel

• Paola Lo Bue OddoEuropean Innovation Council (EIC)Paola Lo Bue OddoPolicy Officer, European Innovation Council (EIC)Paola Lo Bue Oddo is a lawyer and policy officer at DG RTD’s European Innovation Council at the European Commission. As an EU official, Paola focuses on innovation, security and defense topics and is working on the expansion of the EIC to defense and dual-use. She has also worked at NATO and its Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre.Read full bio →
• Jonas CederlöfEuropean Commission — DG DEFISJonas CederlöfDeputy Head of Unit, Strategy, Interinstitutional relations, and Security, European Commission — DG DEFISJonas Cederlöf, Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission, Directorate‑General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) Jonas Cederlöf is the deputy head of the Strategy, Interinstitutional relations, and Security unit at the Directorate‑General for defence industry and space, reporting directly to the Director-General. His earlier responsibilities at the European Commission included programming and implementing defence related EU instruments, implementation of support measures to Ukraine, and development of measures countering hybrid attacks. Prior to his transition to the European Commission in 2021, he was responsible for military capability development programmes for more than two decades in the Finnish Defence Forces, covering domains ranging from naval warfare to cyberspace capabilities; and participating in international capability development in contexts such as Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO), EDA, NATO CNAD and STO work strands, and the US lead MCDC (Multinational Capability Development Campaign). Jonas Cederlöf is a former naval staff officer, with masters´ degrees also in philosophy and engineering.Read full bio →
• Marcin HejkaOTB VenturesMarcin HejkaCo-founder & Managing Partner, OTB VenturesBefore co-founding OTB Ventures, Marcin spent 18 years at Intel Capital as VP, Global Investment Committee Member, and Managing Director responsible for Europe, Israel, the Middle East, Africa, and India. He was part of the European Management Team at Intel Corporation.He has sat on the supervisory boards of several public and private companies, including two banks listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Throughout his career, he has successfully sourced, executed, and exited over 50 venture deals, including five unicorns and decacorns, through trade sales to companies such as Cisco, Google, and Microsoft, as well as IPOs on Nasdaq and NYSE.Marcin is an active Board Member for several companies in the OTB portfolio: Apheris, Plumerai and MatrixSpace, as well as the already successfully exited BabbleLabs and Minit.Read full bio →
• DKDawid KuchtaCEO & Co-founder | Microamp Solutions

Defence Innovation at the Center of European Tech

Defence and dual-use technologies have become one of the fastest-growing segments of the European innovation ecosystem. Rising security challenges, new funding programmes and growing investor interest are creating opportunities for startups across the continent. Join industry leaders to discuss how innovation is reshaping the future of defence.

• Panel

• Tomasz KowalczykRebels ValleyTomasz KowalczykPartner / Growth & Innovation Designer, Rebels ValleyHe has led large-scale innovation and technology adoption initiatives for organizations including ORLEN Group, P&G, HSBC, Citi, and BNY Mellon, helping businesses identify, validate, and deploy new technologies. As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Rebels Valley, recognized three times by the Financial Times and Statista among Europe's leading startup hubs, he has been actively involved in building innovation ecosystems across Europe, including projects in the space and defense sectors. Simultaneously, he currently serves as Head of Innovation at the Polish Football Association, leading technology transformation and exploring new applications of emerging technologies in the sports industry. His work focuses on turning technological potential into commercial value, connecting startups, corporations, public institutions, and investors to accelerate innovation adoption and scale.Read full bio →
• Jakub MolskiClean Valley CapitalJakub MolskiCo-Managing Partner, Clean Valley CapitalJakub Molski is a co-founder and Co-Managing Partner of Clean Valley Capital Limited (CVCAP), a London-based investment banking boutique. He has over twenty years of experience in London investment banking. He leads J.P. Molski & Co. Limited, an M&A and capital raising advisory firm focused on the defense sector. He is the CEO of Calden Private Markets Limited, a British advisory firm specializing in transactions involving private growth companies. He co-created the first major institutional green bond and founded Omnio, a banking-as-a-service company; he also managed Hoist Finance’s banking investments in Central Europe.Read full bio →
• TTTomasz TrześniowskiCo-CEO | WIDMO Spectral Technologies
• Sven ZagałaResQuantSven ZagałaCEO, ResQuantSven Zagała is the CEO of ResQuant, a serial entrepreneur, business developer, and business angel with nearly thirty years of experience building technology companies. At ResQuant he leads the development of European hardware chips that implement NIST-compliant post-quantum cryptography for IoT and edge computing devices. He is also a partner at Invento.VC and a mentor to ICT, deep tech, blockchain, and AI projects.Read full bio →

SpaceTech Meet-Up by STARR

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• Tomasz KowalczykRebels ValleyTomasz KowalczykPartner / Growth & Innovation Designer, Rebels ValleyHe has led large-scale innovation and technology adoption initiatives for organizations including ORLEN Group, P&G, HSBC, Citi, and BNY Mellon, helping businesses identify, validate, and deploy new technologies. As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Rebels Valley, recognized three times by the Financial Times and Statista among Europe's leading startup hubs, he has been actively involved in building innovation ecosystems across Europe, including projects in the space and defense sectors. Simultaneously, he currently serves as Head of Innovation at the Polish Football Association, leading technology transformation and exploring new applications of emerging technologies in the sports industry. His work focuses on turning technological potential into commercial value, connecting startups, corporations, public institutions, and investors to accelerate innovation adoption and scale.Read full bio →
• Yelyzaveta LeshchenkoVigo PhotonicsYelyzaveta LeshchenkoMicroelectronics Assembly Engineer, Vigo PhotonicsR&D specialist with a strong focus on space and defence technologies. Combines deep technical expertise with hands-on experience in turning ideas into impactful, real-world solutions. Skilled in managing complex research projects, from early-stage prototyping to full-scale implementation.Actively involved in innovation at the intersection of science, engineering, and strategic development. Recognized for a multidisciplinary approach, systems thinking, and the ability to translate cutting-edge research into real-world solutions.As a woman in technology, advocates for greater diversity in STEM. Supports initiatives that empower women in engineering and science, and promotes inclusive environments where innovation can thrive.Read full bio →

Rocket Fuel for Startups: Inside the Funding of New Space

Not so long ago space industry was an entirely governmental branch due to the initial costs of production. Currently new space start-ups are popping up like mushrooms and raising funds like never before. During this panel you will hear different strategies of growth from leading Polish space companies and startups.

• Panel

• Maja StaniewskaSpaciveMaja StaniewskaJunior Project Assistant, SpaciveI am (not yet, but close to) a Mechanical Engineer working in the space industry, with a special interest in the defence applications of this sector. I am conducting my own research in this area, focusing on ISRU and obtaining critical raw materials for military purposes in space. Currently I am an intern at Spacive, a Polish space company specializing in thermal engineering, where I learn what it means to be an engineer (and also I conduct marketing campaigns).My other special interest is event management - I have volunteered and worked at numerous conferences, including Economic Forum in Karpacz, one of the biggest political events in Poland.Read full bio →
• Przemysław DróżdżLifteroPrzemysław DróżdżCo-Founder, LifteroPrzemysław Drożdż is the Co-founder and COO of Liftero S.A., a publicly listed company on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, providing next-generation chemical propulsion systems for satellites. He holds a degree from AGH University of Krakow and Kozminski University in Warsaw.Read full bio →
• Piotr OsicaSpacivePiotr OsicaCEO, SpacivePiotr Osica is the CEO & Shareholder at Spacive, a space-tech company developing advanced thermal control systems and subsystems for satellites and critical spacecraft components. At Spacive, Piotr leads the team in creating proprietary passive and active thermal management technologies designed to meet the rigorous thermal demands of modern space missions. His focus is on delivering robust solutions that enable reliable operations for both current orbital platforms and next-generation, high-power satellites.Read full bio →
• Łucja RugorKosmokŁucja RugorFounder, KosmokAmbitious project manager interested in the space industry, with a strong background in space systems engineering, hardware design of high-reliability circuits and avionic systems. A fan of Star Trek trying to bring these long-lasting, multipurpose starships to life!Read full bio →
• Ewelina ZarembaEntelechiaEwelina ZarembaCo-founder & CTO, EntelechiaChallenging the "pierwszy polski” mindset we currently have in Polish space industry. Making it globally competitive rather than just national.   Co-founder and CTO of Entelechia PSA. Her goal is to commercialize in-orbit factories, her first step is high-power battery system with integrated thermal management.   With highly experienced team, Entelechia keeps balance between ESA/EC strategic goals and commercial market needs, cooperating with both from the very early stage.    Its batteries will power the next industrial space revolution and provide EU with independence from the major outside-EU suppliers.Read full bio →

Defence & Security Meet-Up by Polish Chamber of Dual-Use

Polish Chamber of Dual-Use creates the space for talking about the defence & security aspect of deep tech.