From innovation to contract — how to effectively commercialize and finance defense technologies in Poland?

Commercializing defense and dual-use technologies today requires not only innovation, but also speed, regulatory readiness and access to the right financing instruments.

These were the key themes of the business breakfast “From innovation to contract — how to effectively commercialize and finance defense technologies in Poland?”, held on 14 April 2026 in Warsaw.

The event brought together founders, investors and industry practitioners working at the intersection of dual-use and defense innovation. Among the speakers were Paweł Bochniarz (General Partner, Radix Ventures), Viktoriia Yaremchuk (CEO, Farsight Vision), Paweł Robak (OMNI3D) and Paulina Siewielec-Przychodzeń, a member of the Defence and Space Industry Team at DZP.

The discussion focused on practical aspects of bringing technologies from early-stage development to full commercialization, including the importance of testing solutions in real conditions, navigating certification requirements and building scalable cooperation models with larger industry players.

A significant part of the conversation was dedicated to financing. Paulina Siewielec-Przychodzeń presented new financial instruments available in the defense sector, from the perspective of both prime contractors and startups, including mechanisms such as SAFE and EDIP, which are increasingly shaping funding opportunities across the ecosystem.

Participants also emphasized that without more agile procurement processes, clearer accountability and closer alignment between public and private sectors, even the most promising technologies risk becoming outdated before deployment.

The discussion highlighted the growing importance of collaboration between technology developers, investors and end users in accelerating the implementation of defense innovations.