Europe is entering a decisive decade of geopolitical changes, ongoing conflicts, and rapidly developing technologies that are redefining the very concept of security and sustainability. Defense has become a driver of industrial innovation, economic competitiveness, and technological breakthroughs.
On October 28, 2025, Капитал (Capital), the biggest Bulgarian business media outlet, will host the Regional Defence Summit 2025. The main focus of the forum will be how Europe can strengthen its defense capabilities through innovation.
The stage at Sofia Event Center will bring together defense ministers, representatives of the EU and NATO, leaders from industry, investors, and innovators with the next generation of promising technological solutions.
Bulgaria as a logical stage
With its strategic position on the Black Sea and one of the largest defense sectors in the EU relative to GDP, Bulgaria is a natural host for the event. The new European strategy for security and a sustainable Black Sea region emphasizes the role of Bulgaria in building a more resilient Europe.
We will hear keynotes from government leaders, established players in the defense sector, and innovators who are now entering the market with their solutions. They will discuss how Europe can redefine its defense role through regional cooperation and a shared vision.
Among the participants are:
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Tomislav Donchev, Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria
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Colonel Borislav Genov, Director of the Institute of Defense
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Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defense of Estonia
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Kamil Grand, Secretary General of ASD
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Dinka Dinkova, Deputy Director-General, DG DEFIS, European Commission
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Ryan Benitez, CCO at NATO DIANA
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Raycho Raychev, Founder of EnduroSat
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Svetlin Rangelov, Co-founder and CEO of Dronamics
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Andrey Novakov, Member of the European Parliament
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Panos Papagopoulos, Partner at Marathon Ventures
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Dimitar Dimitrov, Co-founder of Wiser Technology
Capital for innovators
Today’s defense capabilities can no longer be built solely by governments. Startups developing breakthrough dual-use technologies and investors ready to take on strategic risk are already transforming the sector. Technological communities and ambitions from Eastern Europe are turning the region into the center of this transformation.
We will see how these innovations operate in real environments, how startups can enter a sector that has traditionally been difficult for new players, and how they are accelerating the digitalization of entire industries.
Established leaders are adapting
The panel “Europe’s Defense Power” will explore how leading companies and innovators in the defense sector can drive technological development and strengthen the continent’s competitiveness.
Representatives of leading defense sector companies from the region will share experience and strategies for accelerating innovation and building sustainable and collaborative defense solutions.
If you want not only to hear from innovators in the sector but also to see how they work in practice, join the forum and experience it firsthand. Visit the workshops for a hands-on look or meet with innovators and their products in the dedicated demo zone.
Lear more and get your ticket here.
