Hackathon "Fire Shield 2024": more attention and funds for defence innovations

The cyber defence and security innovation hackathon "Fire Shield 2024," initiated by the Lithuanian Rifle Association, will take place in Kaunas on October 4-6. Kaunas Science and Technology Park Tech-Park Kaunas and three investment funds joined forces in organising the hackathon. 

Without the defence industry, there will be no defence

"Participants of the first shooter hackathon last year were not only recognized as innovators in the defence sector event - they continue to improve their products, have received large investments, and are already successfully testing their equipment in Ukraine. That is our goal. Lithuania must develop its own defence industry, so I believe the second shooter-initiated hackathon “Fire Shield 2024” will be the platform from which more than one serious project will start, which will strengthen our state", - says the commander of the Lithuanian Rifle Association, lieutenant colonel Linas Idzelis.

The goal of the Hackathon "Fire Shield 2024" organisers - the Lithuanian Rifle Association and the technology park "Tech Park Kaunas" - is to unite specialists with different competencies so that they share their knowledge and experience and create new products designed to solve the security challenges facing the state.

At the hackathon, specialists in electronics, engineering, cyber security, artificial intelligence, drone operators, and researchers who can gather in teams are especially welcome. Individual participants who are indifferent to their country's security will be able to join the formed teams.

"If you have an idea, a project, or have already started developing a product but need investment or professional advice, register and participate. This year, there will be even more professional mentors, opportunities to show and improve your ideas and products, and an even bigger prize fund and investment package. Contribute to strengthening the defence industry in Lithuania because if there is no defence industry, there is no defence either," - says lieutenant colonel Linas Idzelis.

According to the head of the Lithuanian Rifle Association, it is essential to discover talents, help them, and secure the continuity of operations after the end of the hackathon. This hackathon is precisely because the focus on the long-term result is gaining increasing interest from the scientific and business communities. Last year, the cyber defence and security innovation hackathon "Fire Shield" was attended by more than 150 representatives from various fields. With the growing need for defence innovations, in the classic hackathon and the cyber security game this year, "Capture the Flag," twice as many participants are expected.

Motivated by the element of patriotism

Paulius Nezabitauskas, director of Tech-Park Kaunas, notes that those operating in the technology park are companies in the fields of logistics, medicine, programming, robotics, observing, and trying to create dual-use technologies for the defence industry and civilian life.

"One such example is a demining robot, a reconnaissance drone. A hackathon is an excellent opportunity to examine what technology to develop so that it is in demand and useful. In addition, we see that creation is also motivated by a strong element of patriotism. Several successful enterprise teams and co-founders actively participate in the activities of the Rifle Association", says P. Nezabitauskas.

During the hackathon "Ugninis Skydas 2024", experts will help the teams to develop their idea or create a prototype from the Lithuanian Defense and Security Industry Association, Defense Resources Agency near the Coast the Ministry of Defense, the Board of Training and Doctrines of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, various defence agencies industry-related experts.

For the most promising ones – millions of investments

This year, it is planned to allocate forty-five thousand euros to the teams that performed best at the hackathon, and the most promising startups will be given tickets to the pre-accelerators of ScaleWolf and Baltic Sandbox Ventures. There, the participants will improve their products and have the opportunity to attract the first investments.

Coinvest Capital representatives also plan to closely monitor the teams' progress during the hackathon. According to Viktorija Trimbel, head of the fund, Coinvest Capital was the first venture capital fund in the Baltic States fully authorised to invest in defence startups.

"The need is defined by the market, so together with partners and other funds, we have already invested 4.8 million. euros to four start-ups operating in the field of defence, dual-use, space and aviation, we are preparing new deals and looking for other potential start-ups for new investments by the Fund. When analysing and evaluating innovations for deterrence and defence, we take into account the strategic priorities of NATO and the Republic of Lithuania in the field of defence, when evaluating investments, we cooperate with experts in the field of defence," says the Managing Director of Coinvest Capital.

The two startups Broswarm and Stirleng that won last year's hackathon "Ugninis skydas 2023" of the Lithuanian Rifle Association successfully attracted investments. Broswarm, a team specialising in mine detection using drones, artificial intelligence and sensor technology, received 100,000 EUR investment from the ScaleWolf fund. The shooters of the Cybersecurity Lizdeikas’ Rifle Company of the Lithuanian Rifle Association, who founded the start-up Stirleng, are currently also signing a contract for investment in the further development of a high-efficiency thermoelectric generator for USB devices.

The registration of participants of the Hackathon "Fire Shield 2024" is open until September 27 at www.sauliuhakatonas.lt