European Network of Defense - Related Regions (ENDR) conference 2026 in Eindhoven
25 November 2026 - 26 November 2026|
Eindhoven, Netherlands
Registration open until 24 Nov 2026
Build strong European partnerships during the ENDR-conference in Eindhoven
On November 25th and 26th of 2026, the European Network of Defence-related Regions (ENDR) conference ‘From Lab to Field: Deep Tech Dual-Use Innovation for Defence’’ will come to Eindhoven. The conference is a co-hosted event by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) and the Provincie of North Brabant and partners.
The conference focuses on the role of deep tech innovations in strengthening both civilian and defence capacities. The goal is to bring together representatives from European regions that seek to actively strengthen cross-regional and EU-level cooperation on dual-use deep tech innovation. During the conference, we aim to address the following key questions: how do we translate high tech and deep tech enabling technologies into concrete defence applications and capabilities for Europe’s future security? And what does it take to move innovations from lab to field?
The event serves as a platform to discuss, demonstrate and scale cooperation models between high tech and deep tech ecosystems with defence and security applications. The thematic focus is on enabling technologies such as integrated photonics, wireless optical communication, unmanned systems and critical drone components. In addition, European and national dual-use funding programs are an important topic during the event, reflecting both technologies and funding instruments with strong dual-use potential and direct relevance to Europe’s strategic autonomy.
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Participants in matchmaking
Technological heart of the Netherlands: Eindhoven
Eindhoven is the technological heart of the Netherlands and the centre of the Brainport region, competing at the highest international level in advanced technology and innovation. It is home to one of Europe’s most innovative universities and knowledge institutions and is widely recognized as part of one of the world’s smartest regions.
With more than 6,000 technology and IT companies, alongside leading research institutes and educational institutions, Brainport develops groundbreaking technologies, systems and innovations that drive global transitions. So, it makes sense to host this conference in the Brainport region, the heart of deep tech.
What truly sets Eindhoven apart is its unique ecosystem of innovation campuses. At the High Tech Campus Eindhoven and Brainport Industries Campus, more than 350 companies, researchers and innovators work side by side to develop the technologies of tomorrow. These campuses are not just business locations: they are living hubs where ideas move from research to real world application, making Eindhoven one of Europe’s leading centers for deep tech innovation and is therefore known as Brainport. The Brainport region accounts for over 30% of all private R&D spending in the Netherlands and is the 8th in the EU for business R&D intensity. In addition, the province of North Brabant has the strongest defence presence in the Netherlands. The region is home to a broad and diverse network of military facilities, including four military air bases, several army barracks, training and exercise areas, and other defence-related sites. This strong military presence, combined with the region’s deep tech innovation ecosystem, provides a unique environment for developing, testing and scaling dual-use technologies from the lab to the field.
Eindhoven perfectly illustrates what sets Brabant apart from other regions. It is the unique capability to industrialise innovation: turning promising prototypes into market-ready products and large scale manufacturing. This ability to move technology from lab to field is at the heart of the region’s success.
Experience deep tech where it happens. Eindhoven offers a unique opportunity to see how ideas move from the laboratory to real world application. Join the ENDR – Conference on 25 and 26 November and immerse yourself in Europe’s leading deep tech ecosystem, where the journey from lab to field is not a concept but a daily reality.
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Partner overview
The ENDR-conference is co-hosted by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) and the Provincie of North Brabant and partners, such as the Brabant Development Agency (BOM), Brainport Development and the Dutch Ministry of Defence (the Defence Innovation Team North Brabant).
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