At The Recursive, we’ve been tracking the rise of innovation ecosystems across Central and Eastern Europe for years. But today, we’re launching a first-of-its-kind report that reframes the region’s role entirely — to a builder of Europe’s next security layer.
“Who Is Protecting Europe’s Future?” maps the defense and cybersecurity innovation landscape across 19 CEE countries. It captures the startups, investment flows, public-private partnerships, and geopolitical dynamics that are transforming the region.
From conflict zones to innovation hubs
The region is now home to more than 170 defense and dual-use tech startups and over 270 cybersecurity product companies.
Countries like Ukraine and Estonia stand out for their speed and adaptability. Ukraine’s wartime conditions have catalyzed the emergence of startups, developing critical technologies ranging from battlefield robotics to secure communications systems. Estonia, on the other hand, is pioneering a private capital-driven model for military tech investment — setting a precedent across the EU.
Mapping an ecosystem in motion
This report — developed with support from ecosystem leaders including Wiser Technology, Presto Tech Horizons, Warsaw Equity Group, Plainsea, Pentest-Tools, Bronia AI, Kikimora, Nordic Recruitment and Consulting, NATO DIANA Accelerator Czechia, European Defense Tech Hub, Dealigence, DEFENDER Media, and Invest in Bravery — is the most comprehensive overview of its kind.
We’ve combined quantitative startup and funding data with qualitative insights from over 50 founders, investors, defense officials, and innovation enablers. Each country profile provides intelligence on startup activity, defense budgets, cyber strategies, education pipelines, and international cooperation frameworks.
Key takeaways include:
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The rise of dual-use innovation: Startups are increasingly scaling technologies that work across defense and civilian sectors.
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Procurement acceleration: Countries like Ukraine and the Baltics are shortening deployment timelines, allowing even early-stage startups to iterate based on real-time data.
- Strong talent pool: 15,000+ full-time employees in the sectors.
📊 Dive into country profiles, startup data, and thematic deep dives across the CEE region HERE!
Anchoring Europe’s cybersecurity future
CEE’s cybersecurity ecosystem is already globally recognized, with companies like Bitdefender (Romania), ESET (Slovakia), and Nord Security (Lithuania) leading the way. Around them, new ecosystems are emerging focused on AI-based threat detection, privacy-first platforms, and next-gen encryption tools.
This is not only a regional development — it reflects broader shifts across Europe. As the continent responds to challenges like conflict, pandemics, energy instability, and digital transformation, CEE countries are contributing to a growing redefinition of how security is understood and implemented.
Why this report, why now?
The last five years have tested the resilience of Europe like never before. Until now, the story of security tech in the region has been fragmented — told through isolated startup announcements, national strategy documents, or investor interviews. This report brings those pieces together, offering the first integrated view of a complex and fast-evolving ecosystem.
As we launch this report, we invite founders, policymakers, investors, and ecosystem enablers to engage with the findings — and with each other. Because what’s emerging in CEE is not just a regional opportunity. It’s a strategic blueprint for how Europe can build a faster, more adaptive, and more resilient future.
🔗 Explore the full report: Download or read “Who Is Protecting Europe’s Future?” HERE!
