European defence innovation has just fast-tracked into high gear, and for female founders in Europe, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge to seize. The latest initiative by 17Tech.fi, in partnership with Ukrainian defence bodies, offers a controlled testing environment for startups to trial their products on actual battlefields in Ukraine. It’s rare to find such a robust cross-border programme that aligns defence technology with real, urgent needs, and as both a serial entrepreneur and founder, my initial thoughts were, “This is a game-changer for startups ready to solve big problems.”
For my fellow entrepreneurs tuning in, understanding the scale and potential of this initiative can turn scepticism into opportunity. Here is why this matters, who it applies to, and practical advice on how to make the most of it.
A New Era of Battlefield Innovation
This programme offers a clear, operationally relevant channel for startups to test their defence tech solutions under high-stakes conditions. More than just access to testing sites, it connects innovators with end-users, ensuring their technologies are battle-ready and impactful. Unlike traditional lab environments, Ukraine’s current circumstances provide urgent, high-pressure testing grounds that no simulation can replicate.
The initiative isn’t just technical – it bridges the gap between NATO, Ukrainian forces, and European start-ups, creating valuable interoperability between allied forces. For NATO partners, it’s a win, but for small-scale startup founders? It's a moment to evaluate how our ideas translate to global impact at a much faster pace.
Here’s what grabbed my attention: battlefield data from Ukraine's ecosystem provides direct feedback to startups, ensuring their iterations aren’t purely theoretical but deeply rooted in what’s required on the ground. That alone fast-tracks product relevance in a way I’ve rarely seen.
A Chance for Female Entrepreneurs to Join the Race
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: access for female entrepreneurs, especially in defence tech. Historically, this has been one of the hardest sectors to penetrate for women. I’ve felt it firsthand when bootstrapping startups and navigating predominantly male-dominated pitch rooms. This initiative, however, gives you a foot in the door, not just to advanced technology, but also to strategic partnerships with organisations like NATO and Ukrainian defence forces.
What Can You Do as a Female Founder?
- Get familiar with the programme goals. Visit 17Tech.fi’s announcement page to understand how they view testing cycles and small-scale deployments for startups. Clarity on their mindset helps you tailor your pitch.
- Find early-stage funding opportunities. Programmes like the BRAVE1 grants (a €3.3 million fund between Europe and Ukraine) can become your financial backbone if you're pre-revenue. Check out BRAVE1's grant portal to know when and how to apply.
- Collaborate with partners already in the ecosystem. Defence Builder and other Ukrainian defence innovation bodies are pivotal here. Forge relationships, especially if your technology solves pain points relevant to them.
- Prepare for the compliance game. Legal barriers are often a block for non-traditional defence startups. Address those early in your discussions with stakeholders, and show you understand frameworks.
As a solo founder with firsthand experience navigating accelerator pitches and EU-backed regulation hurdles, I’ve learned one immutable insight: watching others seize opportunity can either prepare or paralyse you. Getting yourself into programmes like this, however, usually requires taking just one bold first step. If you’re worried your tech idea isn’t “big enough,” this is your moment to find a niche.
Lessons for Future-ready Entrepreneurs
If Ukraine is becoming an unexpected hub for battlefield-led R&D, what does it teach us? First, innovation never stalls in crisis; rather, combined forces like NATO and Ukraine demonstrate what happens when you double down on solving critical real-time problems. For women in Europe hustling to break into defence tech, lessons from this initiative are especially worth noting:
- Prepare for rapid feedback cycles. Combat testing is direct and raw. Unlike consumer feedback loops, equipped soldiers won’t care for polished pitches, they want solutions that work now. The quicker you iterate, the faster you win relevance.
- Build partnerships outside your comfort zone. Programmes like this are collaborative, prioritising players from multiple ecosystems. Reach out to accelerators like Yes!Delft or even digital hubs in Kyiv to understand the intersection of defence and innovation.
- Be ready for government contracts but stay agile. One trap I see, startups orient themselves to the slow pace of public tender processes. With battlefield-driven frameworks, your agility as a startup is your edge, so keep lean teams and fast iterations.
- Find advisors with sector-specific knowledge. My personal learning here has been invaluable. The NATO-backed technical teams in this programme have vast defence insight. An advisor familiar with compliance, NATO standards, or government contracts could save you months of research.
Common Mistakes You Must Avoid
- Jumping in without finesse. While this initiative is beginner-friendly, poorly articulated proposals often get ignored. Spend time refining your pitch. Offer scalable suggestions rather than vague ideas.
- Neglecting compliance basics. This is a legal minefield, especially in defence. Every piece of regulation matters, especially when working across borders. If you’re unsure where to begin, check NATO’s compliance materials.
- Chasing perfect prototypes. The battlefield doesn’t need perfect tools, it needs something reliable. Let testing refine your product without endless refinement cycles beforehand.
- Overcomplicating solutions. If you position yourself as too “high-tech” but miss end-user simplicity, prepared to be passed over. Remember, soldiers work in split seconds, and clarity saves lives.
Closing Thoughts for Female Founders
As I reflect on this moment, I see a call not just for startups in advanced technical industries but for women founders who feel like they don’t belong in defence tech. The truth? This space is ready for thinkers who can challenge the norm and craft grounded, scalable solutions. Entrepreneurs like you.
Europe’s startup ecosystems are slow to open defence-focused programmes like this, and there’s a significant first-mover advantage here. Even if you’ve never thought defence was your “industry,” look closer, your product could find its perfect application.
To start, explore how initiatives like the BRAVE1 grants or battlefield-adjacent testing alliances directly fund such participation. And for goodness’ sake, put aside the imposter syndrome that whispers this isn’t your place. It is. Defence tech urgently needs new voices, and this programme specifically leverages partnerships to show just this.
Forge ahead because this isn’t just an opening for inter-field defence tech collaboration, it’s a moment for bold entrepreneurs like us to stake out space in warfare technology. Live field testing? It’s the fastest route to proven solutions, and innovation doesn’t wait for slow movers.
Seize this. Get uncomfortable. Then test your prototype with certainty, Ukraine’s field track programme is your next big step.
FAQ
1. What is the new European defence innovation programme?
The programme fast-tracks European defence innovation through controlled testing in Ukraine, allowing startups structured access to combat environments for technology validation. Read more about the programme
2. Who is the main organiser of this initiative?
The initiative is organised by 17Tech.fi in collaboration with Ukrainian defence partners like Defence Builder. Discover 17Tech.fi
3. What unique benefits does Ukraine's battlefield offer for tech innovators?
Ukraine’s battlefield provides real-time data and feedback, allowing startups to thoroughly test products under high-pressure conditions. Explore Tech.eu insights
4. How does the programme help startups shorten their product development cycles?
The controlled testing environment accelerates feedback loops and ensures technologies are relevant to real end-user needs. Learn more about the testing features
5. Are there funding opportunities available for startups in this programme?
Yes, the BRAVE1 grant (€3.3 million fund) is available to support startups developing defence technologies. Learn about BRAVE1 grants
6. What advice is given for women entrepreneurs in defence tech?
Female founders should understand programme goals, seek funding like BRAVE1 grants, and build compliance frameworks early. Explore Cate Lawrence’s advice
7. How does the programme foster NATO-Ukraine interoperability?
It bridges NATO and Ukrainian forces with European startups, enhancing technological integration and alignment. Learn more about interoperability
8. What are the compliance considerations for startups joining this initiative?
Startups need to navigate legal frameworks pertaining to defence innovation and cross-border activities with stakeholders like NATO. Check out compliance details
9. Is this initiative limited to large-scale startups?
No, the initiative is open to small-scale founders and startups looking to prove solutions under real-world conditions. Discover opportunities for smaller-scale initiatives
10. How can interested entrepreneurs apply for this initiative?
Entrepreneurs can apply through the official accelerator page managed by 17Tech.fi. Apply for Test in Ukraine programme
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
