International and local innovative businesses meet in The Hague ahead of NATO summit: 'Securing the Future'
THIS IS A PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE MUNICIPALITY OF THE HAGUE
Ahead of the NATO summit, where government leaders discussed our collective security and military capabilities in the centre of The Hague, The Hague's innovation campus Binckhaven hosted a unique gathering of more than 950 representatives from innovative SMEs, industry, investment funds, and defense organisations from 32 NATO countries. At the “Securing the Future” event, participants presented breakthrough technologies at the intersection of civil and security applications – ranging from AI and quantum technologies to space, drones, and maritime systems.
From networking to deal-making
The result: more than 200 one-on-one meetings between companies, investors, and security partners, setting the stage for real progress toward a stronger and more resilient Europe – starting this week.
The day kicked off with several panel discussions on investing in defence technology, accelerating innovation implementation, and cross-border cooperation in areas such as AI and data, unmanned systems, and supply chain security. Experts from industry, government, and knowledge institutions discussed how Europe can respond to strategic threats more quickly and intelligently. Additionally, 50 innovative Dutch startups and SMEs showcased their solutions.
Securing the Future was not just about dialogue; it delivered direct results. Dozens of new partnerships emerged during the event, marking an important step toward accelerating innovation and improving access to funding for companies working on dual-use technology. Meaning technology that can be used for both civilian and security-related applications.
Investing in scaling up
Access to capital is crucial for innovative companies aiming to grow from startups to a trusted supplier. Some 50 investors were present at the event, including the NATO Innovation Fund, the Dutch SecFund, and dozens of private investment companies. Twenty selected companies had the opportunity to pitch their technologies to this international investor network.
One of those companies was Tective Robotics, which develops mobile launch systems that allow multiple drones to recharge and operate autonomously. Tective recently received an investment from SecFund and used this event to present its technology to a wider international audience.
"The SecFund investment allows us to enter the next stage of development. But to truly scale, for example towards manufacturing, we need more capital and enough orders. This event gave us a platform to share our story and connect with international investors such as the NATO Innovation Fund."
Action for security and economy
Securing the Future was organised by the Municipality of The Hague and the Province of South-Holland, with the Ministry of Defense as a key partner. The event was supported by NATO DIANA, the Enterprise Europe Network, and the Dutch Regional Development Companies (ROMs), among others.
The presence of delegates from 32 NATO member states and European countries in The Hague offered a unique opportunity to forge new cross-border partnerships. International cooperation is essential to sustainably strengthen Europe’s resilience.
Saskia Bruines, Alderman for Economic Development for The Hague: "At Securing the Future, we brought together international and local companies, investors, and governments. It highlights The Hague as the international city of peace and justice, and as a place where innovation and security reinforce one another. Local partners such as SeaSec and Security Delta (HSD) are great examples of that."
The NATO summit in The Hague prompted the event, aligning well with the regional ambitions of both the Municipality of the Hague and the Province of South-Holland. Meindert Stolk, regional minister for Economy and Innovation for the province of Zuid-Holland: "Our province is uniquely positioned, thanks to its diversity of companies and sectors, to enable both dual-use innovation and adoption. Whether it’s space, unmanned systems, maritime security, or cybersecurity, South-Holland is leading the way. That’s why we are jointly investing in innovation infrastructure: from drone testing facilities to collaborative projects in quantum technology."
Simplifying cooperation with Defence
For young, innovative companies, meeting the complex demands of defence contracts can be a challenge. That’s why the new Strategic Defence Innovation Research (SDIR) approach was developed by the ministry of Defence. This approach was presented during Securing the Future. State Secretary Gijs Tuinman (Defence) received the first edition of this publication.
“With the SDIR approach, we commit to early collaboration, open innovation, and smart alignment of strategic needs and technologies that may not yet exist. This isn’t just about accelerating innovation, but also about enabling Defence to make a real impact as launching customer.” The first SDIR trajectories have already started, including the development of unmanned aircrafts for the navy. During Securing the Future, the Ministry of Defence introduced the companies working with them on these innovations.
"What happened here at Securing the Future is exactly what we need. By tapping into the strength of innovative SMEs, we boost both our security as well as our economy. Especially in times of increasing threats, that thriving economy is vital to building a resilient society,” concluded State Secretary Tuinman.
