GEA Digital partners with EIT Digital Champions to drive AI innovations in European defence sector

The collaboration offers a vital platform for European tech scaleups to present state-of-the-art technologies tailored to meet the defence sector’s evolving needs for scalable and efficient capabilities.

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GEA Digital and EIT Digital Champions are collaborating to boost AI-driven innovation in the European defence sector through the prestigious EIT Digital Champions competition. As the sponsor of this 12th edition, GEA Digital is focused on advancing AI solutions for defence applications, particularly in areas like electronic warfare, real-time threat detection, autonomous drone identification, edge computing, and communication disruption.

The partnership offers European scaleups a unique platform to showcase their cutting-edge technologies, addressing the growing need for scalable and efficient defence capabilities. Through this competition, GEA Digital also aims to bridge the gap between startups and defence organisations, encouraging the defence sector to adopt a more open approach to innovation.

In January 2025, the finalists will pitch their solutions to an international panel of investors, with winners receiving tailored support from EIT Digital’s Growth Services program, exclusive access to Italian defence clients, and mentoring from GEA Digital’s experts. GEA Digital’s sponsorship reflects its commitment to modernising Italy’s defence industry at a crucial time.

With rising demands for advanced technology and a shrinking workforce, GEA Digital aims to promote collaboration between the defence sector and high-tech industries. This partnership supports Italy’s defence organisations in adopting innovative technologies, helping them stay competitive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.