European Defence Week in Paris
27 October 2025 - 30 October 2025
Exhibition
This four-day event in Paris is a gateway into Europe’s defense innovation landscape, bringing together startups, corporates, SMEs, innovation labs, and clusters to connect with top-tier French and EU stakeholders. Through curated matchmaking, pitch sessions, exhibitions, workshops, and policy roundtables, participants gain direct access to strategic partners, procurement opportunities, and collaborative R&D across land, maritime, space, and emerging tech domains.
In June 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Norway marked a significant step forward in Franco-Norwegian relations, with both countries committing to deeper defense cooperation. This comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in Europe and in the Arctic, reinforcing the need for stronger regional partnerships. The new strategic agreement focuses on maritime & land security, space, and technological innovation, where both nations have strong capabilities and shared interests.
France stands as a cornerstone of European defense, with one of the continent’s most advanced military-industrial complexes, a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, and a leading role in NATO and EU defense initiatives. Its robust defense ecosystem spans aerospace, cybersecurity, naval systems, and AI-driven technologies, making it a key partner for countries seeking to scale their capabilities and integrate into European value chains. For Norwegian companies operating in defense or dual-use sectors, France offers not only a dynamic market but also access to collaborative R&D, procurement opportunities, and strategic partnerships.
This event in Paris will present strong opportunities for Norwegian companies and startups: the program is designed to help Norwegian companies navigate the European defense ecosystem, identify growth potential, and contribute to a more secure, sovereign, and resilient Europe.
Over four days of events, packed with exhibitions, matchmaking sessions, workshops, pitch sessions, policy roundtable, exclusive cocktails, and tech demos, the participants will be able to engage directly with French & EU corporates, startups, investors, institutional stakeholders, defense officials, research and innovation institutions, and military representatives.
Join Innovation Norway's Norwegian delegation to make the most of this week and get access to exclusive events, matchmaking, networking cocktails, pitching sessions and more ! Places are limited.
Download the brochure below for more details about the event and the ongoing program.
Participating startups will have access to personal coaching sessions (pitching, decks, etc.) to prepare for the pitching and matchmaking sessions before the event.
This will also give participants access to the Defense Community of the Euroquity program. Launched in 2008 by Bpifrance (French counterpart of Innovasjon Norge), EuroQuity is a trusted matchmaking platform connecting companies, investors, and growth partners. Powered by 260+ partners, including 35 key players, it fosters strategic connections that drive innovation and expansion. With 20,000+ users and partnerships with the European Commission and major public and private stakeholders, EuroQuity accelerates business opportunities across Europe, Africa, and beyond.
Practical information
Important conditions
Companies must adhere to standards for responsible business conduct, including Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria.
Participants are expected to operate in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. This entails conducting business responsibly, respecting human rights, ensuring decent working conditions, safeguarding environmental considerations, and actively preventing corruption.
Companies must carry out their own due diligence assessments (risk assessments) to identify, prevent, and mitigate potential adverse impacts.