Where sovereign resilience meets startup velocity DEFENSE & DUAL-USE FORUM


South Summit's Defense & Dual-Use Forum, developed in collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Defence, creates a dedicated space bringing together founders, technologists, investors, and government stakeholders to explore how emerging technologies are redefining national security, resilience, and sovereign capability.
Dual-use innovation is no longer a niche conversation. It is becoming a strategic growth space for the whole ecosystem — opening new opportunities for startups, investors, corporates and institutions working at the intersection of technology, resilience and security.

WHY THIS FORUM, WHY NOW

01

A Fast-Growing Investment Frontier

Defense and dual-use technologies are becoming one of the fastest-growing areas of venture investment globally, backed by growing interest from governments, institutions, and strategic capital.

02

New Opportunities for Startups

For founders, dual-use opens access to new customers, procurement pathways, and mission-driven use cases linked to resilience, infrastructure, and strategic capability.

03

Long-term Value for Investors

For investors, this vertical represents an emerging market with long-horizon potential, increasing institutional support, and a growing pipeline of high-impact technologies.

04

Critical Innovation for Corporates and Institutions

For corporates and policymakers, dual-use is where the next generation of critical capabilities is being built, often by agile teams moving faster than traditional structures.

05

A global meeting point for the ecosystem 

South Summit brings together the startups, investors, corporates, and institutions shaping the future of strategic resilience, critical infrastructure, and autonomy. 

GET YOUR TICKET

GET YOUR TICKET


 FOR INSTITUTIONS

Bridge policy, procurement, and emerging technology. 
FOR STARTUPS

Showcase technologies with real strategic relevance. 


 FOR INVESTORS

Discover ventures building mission-critical solutions. 


  FOR CORPORATES

Meet innovation partners for resilience and infrastructure challenges. 

BENEFITS

WHERE THE ECOSYSTEM COMES TOGETHER

Across a morning of panels, a curated meetup, and a closed working session, participants from the Spanish Ministry of Defense, leading startups, investors and major corporates will explore the frameworks, technologies, and partnerships shaping the next chapter of European strategic autonomy.

PANELS

High-level conversations on dual-use innovation.

CURATED MEETUP

Targeted connections across the ecosystem.

CLOSED WORKING SESSION

A private session for selected stakeholders.

BE PART OF WHAT COMES NEXT

A private forum designed to connect the people shaping the next chapter of dual-use innovation.

See the full track