Space and defense are no longer reserved for governments. Across Europe, dual-use technologies are blurring civilian and defense applications, opening new ground for innovation that boosts resilience, autonomy and agility. This track shows how Europe can shift from large, closed systems to small, distributed, intelligent ones that guide complex operations, enable unmanned missions and deliver real-time insights. We’ll highlight how advanced optics, robotics, AI and system engineering transform defense operations — and how open innovation platforms, from incubators to sandboxes, let start-ups and established players co-create disruptive capabilities and accelerate Europe’s next generation of space and defense capacity. Check out the presentations from the Innovation Day of 2024 on:

• Dual-use tech & components: From lab to market with an entrepreneurial mindset
  By Florent Passalacqua, Innovation Consultant at Verhaert Strategic Innovation and Manu Pepermans, Project Manager at Verhaert Product Innovation
• Building distributed intelligent systems with edge AI
  By Klaas Hofman, Software Tech Lead EmbeddedLab at Verhaert Product Innovation and Niels Verleysen, AI Engineer at Verhaert Digital Innovation
• The agility accelerator: Reinventing innovation for space and defense
  By Dany Robberecht, Business Unit Director at Verhaert Strategic Innovation

View the presentation

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Technology transcending boundaries

Cutting-edge technologies are increasingly dissolving the traditional divide between civilian and defense applications, creating shared innovation pathways and accelerating progress across both domains. Dual-use technologies are those developed with a primary purpose in one sector but capable of delivering significant value in another. This convergence reflects a larger trend: challenges in society and security are becoming more interconnected, and the solutions required are often technologically similar.

Dual-use innovation is becoming a key driver of technological progress, economic resilience and strategic capability. This enables industry to benefit from high-performance technologies traditionally associated with defense, while defense ecosystems gain access to the agility, creativity and entrepreneurial drive found in commercial and academic research environments. Dual-use technologies are advancing innovation and strengthening both societal well-being and security readiness.

What is dual-use technology?

Dual-use technology is about innovations that are designed for civilian use but also possess the capability to be applied in defense or security. The defining feature is not the technology itself, but its adaptability across sectors. A single development, whether software, hardware, material or scientific method, can support public benefit while also enhancing national security, operational resilience or strategic capability.

The strength of dual-use technologies lies in their scalability and adaptability. A single technology breakthrough can now impact multiple sectors, from public health to national security, from energy to space exploration. Therefore, broadening their market potential but also accelerating innovation cycles, allowing research to translate more rapidly into practical solutions.

Here are some examples:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Powering predictive analytics in healthcare, smart manufacturing, and environmental monitoring, while also enabling advanced surveillance, targeting, and autonomous defense systems.
• Drones and autonomous systems: Transforming logistics, agriculture, and filmmaking, while equally essential for reconnaissance, border monitoring, and tactical support.
• Cybersecurity: Safeguarding personal data and critical infrastructure, and forming a foundational component of national defense, intelligence operations, and digital resilience.
• Advanced materials: Used in lightweight composites for commercial aviation, consumer electronics, and renewable energy systems, as well as in high-strength armour, aerospace components, and protective equipment.
• Biotechnology: Driving breakthroughs in disease treatment, diagnostics, and public health, while also enabling biodefense, rapid-response medical countermeasures, and resilience against emerging biological threats.

Dual-use highlights the shared technological foundations that can serve multiple sectors. Making dual-use technology a very powerful catalyst for economic growth, cross-sector collaboration, and strategic autonomy. Allowing government, industry, and research institutions to leverage investment more efficiently, collaboratively and ultimately ensuring that advancements in one domain strengthen capability in another.

Why researchers need to think like entrepreneurs

Moving dual-use research from concept to meaningful real-world capability isn’t just a question of scientific rigor—it demands strategic awareness, adaptability, and a willingness to engage beyond the traditional academic sphere. While academic outputs remain essential, they represent only the first step in realizing the broader impact of an innovation. To ensure that research reaches its full potential beyond the laboratory, researchers must also understand how their work can be positioned, developed, and deployed in real-world environments across multiple sectors.

This is where an entrepreneurial mindset becomes critical. It enables researchers to think not only about what they have developed, but who it is for, why it matters, and how it can be brought to market responsibly. Beyond scientific excellence, dual-use innovation requires navigating funding landscapes, compliance and regulatory requirements, partnerships with industry or government, and the practical steps from prototype development to scalable implementation.

Closing the research-to-market gap
Many strong innovations stall in the lab because commercialization requires skills beyond research. Pairing scientific expertise with entrepreneurial thinking allows technologies to move from prototypes to viable, market-ready solutions.

Recognizing broader opportunities
An entrepreneurial mindset helps researchers identify multiple use cases, engage with industry, and align their innovations with real market and end-user needs across both civilian and defense domains.

Navigating regulatory and ethical complexity
Dual-use technologies often involve sensitive legal and ethical considerations. Entrepreneurial awareness supports informed decision-making, responsible development, and compliance from the start.

Accelerating real-world impact
When researchers actively drive development—securing funding, forming partnerships, and building implementation pathways—their work reaches users faster, which is especially critical in defense and public-sector contexts.

Strengthening investment and talent attraction
Clear commercialization potential makes research more compelling to investors, industry partners, and skilled collaborators, enabling stronger ecosystems around emerging technologies.

Enabling cross-sector collaboration
Dual-use innovation depends on collaboration between academia, government, and industry. Entrepreneurial researchers are better positioned to build and sustain the partnerships required to bring solutions to scale.

Researchers can cultivate this mindset by gaining a foundational understanding of business, market dynamics, finance, and intellectual property; building networks with investors, industry leaders, policymakers, and fellow entrepreneurs; and embracing calculated risk-taking and iterative learning. It also involves applying problem-solving skills to real-world challenges and communicating the value and potential of their technology clearly to a diverse audience.

28 DIGITAL x Verhaert

We are proud to partner with 28 DIGITAL to provide this much-needed support to researchers and highlight the strategic importance of dual-use technologies. The intersection of cutting-edge science and dual-use innovation holds exceptional potential, opening pathways for meaningful real-world impact. When researchers adopt an entrepreneurial approach, they can move their breakthroughs from concept to tangible solutions that address both civilian and defense needs—shaping a future where their work serves a broader purpose. The journey from scientific discovery to societal benefit is fundamentally entrepreneurial, and researchers are at the center of this transformation.

Check out Verhaert Strategic Innovation‘s new pre-incubator program ‘SPIN: Rise Evolve DualTech‘, in partnership with 28 DIGITAL’s SPIN: Rise initiative, which will support researchers across Europe with hands-on entrepreneurship learnings and mentoring.

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As Europe faces complex security challenges and increasing global competition, dual-use innovation has become more crucial than ever. From cybersecurity to advanced materials and AI-powered defense systems, the technologies we develop today must serve both civil society and national security interests. Verhaert Strategic Innovation, part of the Verhaert Group, will host and lead the program’s ‘Dual-Use Technologies for Civil and Security Applications’ track, known as Evolve DualTech, helping researchers transform promising innovations into market-ready solutions that serve both civilian and security needs.

Bridging Europe’s research-to-market gap

Despite Europe’s globally recognized leadership in scientific output, the continent continues to face significant challenges in translating research into commercial success. The SPIN: Rise program aims to tackle this issue by providing researchers with targeted entrepreneurial training, strategic coaching and access to innovation ecosystems that can help bring cutting-edge technologies to market.

The Evolve DualTech track is led by experienced consultants and innovation experts from Verhaert Strategic Innovation, alongside external keynote speakers and mentors. With decades of expertise in dual-use technologies, product development and early-stage commercialization, the Verhaert team offers participants practical guidance, strategic insight and real-world know-how.

“At Verhaert, we believe that innovation is only as valuable as its ability to create real-world impact,” says Eleni Anastasopoulou, Project Manager of the Evolve DualTech program at Verhaert Strategic Innovation. “As Europe strengthens its strategic autonomy through initiatives such as the ReArm Europe Plan, dual-use technologies that serve both civil and security applications have become increasingly essential. Our program is designed to empower researchers to bridge the gap between academic excellence and market application, ensuring their work translates into tangible solutions for society.”

A unique focus on dual-use innovation

The Evolve DualTech track offers a dedicated pathway for researchers developing dual-use technologies. These are innovations that hold potential for both civilian markets and security or defense applications. The track combines:

• A seven-week online training and mentoring phase covering intellectual property strategies, business model design, market validation and early-stage investment readiness.
• An immersive three-day in-person bootcamp in Brussels, where participants will engage with industry experts, investors and peers to refine their commercialization strategies.

The initiative is open to researchers at all stages of their careers, including PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows, with no prior entrepreneurial experience required.

Part of a broader European effort

Within the SPIN: Rise program, the Evolve DualTech track is one of four specialized technology domains alongside:

• Smart manufacturing and digital factories led by Bocconi University (Milan)
• Digital health and AI-driven wellbeing led by Applejack Lab, Instituto Pedro Nunes, and PitchBob.io (Lisbon)
• Cyber-resilient societies and trustworthy AI led by SIBB (Berlin)

The SPIN: Rise program builds on the success of SPIN: Explore, which engaged over 100 researchers from 29 countries with a strong focus on inclusion and gender diversity.

“European research excellence is world class, but we continue to face challenges in translating scientific breakthroughs into market success,” says Federico Menna, CEO of EIT Digital. “SPIN: Rise addresses this critical gap by equipping researchers with practical tools to navigate commercialization.”

Applications open until mid-September 2025

Researchers and innovators interested in bringing their dual-use technologies to market are encouraged to apply before September 15th. The Evolve DualTech program will officially kick off in October 2025. 

For more information and to submit applications, please visit: Evolve DualTech Track.

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Space challenges that drive defense innovation

The harsh realities of space demand resilience, precision, and advanced problem-solving—qualities that are just as crucial in defense. The overlap between space exploration and defense operations is striking, with technology developed for orbit now playing a vital role in military strategy and global safety.

Here’s how space tech is making an impact:

• Surveillance and reconnaissance: Satellites provide an unmatched vantage point, delivering high-resolution imagery and data to track threats, monitor borders, and support disaster response.
• Communication and navigation: GPS and satellite-based communication ensure secure, real-time coordination for military operations, enabling precise positioning and seamless connectivity in any environment.
• Cybersecurity: Space systems face constant cyber threats, leading to the development of cutting-edge security protocols that can be adapted to protect critical infrastructure on Earth.
• Threat detection and early warning: Space-based sensors detect missile launches, nuclear activity, and other threats in real time, allowing for rapid response and strategic decision-making.

Next-generation defense powered by space technology

Space-derived technologies are revolutionizing modern defense strategies:

• Miniaturized sensors and drones: Originally designed for space missions, small and lightweight sensors, and drones are now enhancing battlefield surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering in extreme environments.
• Advanced materials: High-strength, lightweight materials developed for spacecraft are now improving protective gear, armor, and resilient military equipment.
• Artificial intelligence (AI): AI-driven navigation and data analysis from space exploration are boosting threat detection, cybersecurity, and decision-making in military operations.
• Secure communication networks: Space-based systems provide encrypted, interference-resistant communication, essential for military coordination in remote or contested environments.

Navigating the future: challenges and opportunities

As threats evolve within cyber, asymmetric warfare the need for real-time response becomes ever more urgent, and defense strategies must adapt. Space technology provides a powerful advantage in terms of:

• Enhanced situational awareness: Satellite surveillance delivers a real-time, comprehensive view of the battlefield.
• Improved communication and coordination: Reliable, encrypted networks keep operations secure and efficient.
• Advanced threat detection: AI-powered analytics and space-based sensors enable early warnings and proactive defense.
• Resilient infrastructure: Space-driven innovations help protect critical military assets from cyber and physical threats.

Verhaert: harnessing the power of space technology

At Verhaert Strategic Innovation, we facilitate the transfer of cutting-edge space technologies to the security and defense sectors. Through strategic sourcing of innovation, we de-risk and accelerate successful technology adoption, ensuring impactful advancements. We help to define requirements, scout breakthrough technologies, and leverage our extensive network to connect you with the right partners, fast. By bridging the gap between space and terrestrial security needs, we’re able to support the development of innovative defense solutions and the implementation of next-generation technologies—contributing to a safer and more secure world.

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1. Fueling sales growth

Successful accelerators do more than offer advice, they provide start-ups with the tools, strategies, and connections to land real customers. Look at the success of the CASSINI Business Accelerator that Verhaert implements for the European Commission. In just one batch, start-ups generated 4.602 sales leads and closed 127 deals worth €24.4 million! That’s the power of structured sales training, targeted expert mentorship, and meaningful networks that open doors.

2. Unlocking growth capital

Funding is the lifeblood of any start-up to scale. A strong accelerator program actively connects founders with the right investors and guides them through the fundraising process. With CASSINI Business Accelerator, batch 2 start-ups raised an impressive €117 million in equity-based funding and another €20 million in private investment. Standouts like 10Lines, DCUBED, and Unseenlabs secured major funding rounds, proving that the right accelerator is a powerful catalyst for financial growth.

3. Driving job creation

Beyond sales and funding, a thriving accelerator has even broader impacts. At CASSINI, companies created 165 new full-time jobs in batch 2 alone. Beyond growing businesses, accelerators fuel economic growth by helping to create employment opportunities that benefit communities and entire industries.

4. Fostering diversity and inclusion

A truly impactful accelerator ensures that innovation is for everyone. Diversity is a key driver of creativity and success, and at CASSINI, 24% of new hires in batch 2 were women – marking an important step toward more diversity in the space industry. By fostering an inclusive environment, accelerators not only elevate businesses but also contribute to a more equitable innovation ecosystem.

5. Beyond the metrics

Numbers matter, yet, the real value of an accelerator goes deeper. The best programs focus on creating strong, supportive communities, offering lasting mentorship, and providing the foundation start-ups need to scale sustainably. It’s the intangible, long-term value that makes the difference between short-term success and lasting impact.

Business accelerators at their best

A business accelerator is only as good as the result it delivers. We’re talking revenue, investment, and job creation – the hard-hitting indicators of success. Through our partnership with CASSINI, Verhaert has shown that structured, results-driven programs are a game-changer for any start-up.

It’s about more than immediate wins. True success comes from fostering diversity and inclusion and providing long-term support that helps start-ups thrive for the long haul. These elements come together to create stronger, more resilient businesses capable of navigating marketing challenges.

At Verhaert Strategic Innovation, we’re dedicated to creating vibrant ecosystems where innovation can flourish. Where start-ups are empowered with the right tools, guidance, and supportive community they need to unlock their full potential. The goal isn’t just to hit milestones, it’s about shaping a journey that leads to lasting success and meaningful change in the world.

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