Panop is proud to announce a strategic collaboration with the European Defense Tech Hub, UNSW Canberra, and Beaten Zone to host an intensive defence innovation hackathon this February.
Following a series of high-impact events across Europe — ranging from British Army barracks in London to active environments in Lviv and Kyiv — this initiative brings a proven model for rapid capability development to the Australian defence ecosystem.
The event, held at the UNSW Canberra City Campus, is designed to bridge the gap between contemporary engineering and operational necessity. Described as a "Silicon Valley meets SOCOM" environment, the hackathon focuses on rapid experimentation and outcomes-driven development, moving away from traditional bureaucratic processes to prioritise speed and practical proof-of-concepts.
Participants will be tasked with solving critical problem statements derived from the real-world needs of Australian and coalition operators in the Indo-Pacific. While the final scope is being refined, challenges are expected to focus on Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), littoral operations, undersea warfare, and electronic warfare.
The format is modelled after lessons learned from the front lines in Ukraine, the United States' Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and European tech hubs. These events have a demonstrated track record of success, frequently resulting in the formation of new sovereign startups and the immediate transition of ideas into tangible defence solutions.
Event details
- When: 12:00 PM, February 6 to 5:00 PM, February 8
- Where: UNSW Canberra City Campus, Reid, ACT
- Cost: Free for accepted participants
Panop remains committed to equipping those who defend democracy with a decisive technological advantage. By cohosting this event, we continue to foster a sovereign industrial base that is ready to meet the challenges of the modern age.
Registrations: lu.ma/adth-2026
Media enquiries: media@panop.ai