Baltic Miltech Summit 2025

Paul Strobel is Public Affairs Lead and Spokesperson for Political Communications at Quantum Systems, Europe’s leading drone company. With a background that bridges military service and civilian expertise, Paul brings a unique perspective to the intersection of technology, defense, and public narrative.

He previously worked as a political consultant and strategic communications expert, including as Director for Digital Communications for the first Invictus Games in Germany. His academic foundation in the UK and experience as a German Army staff officer inform his mission: serving those who defend our freedom.

Vaidas Saldžiūnas is a defense editor at Delfi, a leading Lithuanian online media organization. He’s been covering the defense issues for more than 15 years with particular focus on military history, strategy, weapons systems and how all of that is applied in war. Vaidas is known for his short articles and podcasts on military topics.

Martin Karkour is the Chief Sales Officer (CSO) at Quantum Systems, appointed in February 2025. With a strong background in technology and digital consulting, he previously served as Vice President and Head of Aerospace & Defense at Capgemini Deutschland. Martin began his career in the German Armed Forces, serving as a career and staff officer from 2000 to 2014. He holds degrees in business administration, human sciences, and an Executive MBA. At Quantum Systems, Martin leads strategic sales initiatives focused on customer value, long-term partnerships, and mission-driven impact.

Dr Fulvio Arreghini is a retired CDR of the Italian Navy (engineering corps) with more than 25 years of active services where he has been working mainly in the fields of secure tactical communications and cybersecurity. In this regard he has been working several years in international cooperation participating to working groups and projects within several organizations including NATO, OCCAR, EDA.

PhD in Information Engineering Dr. Arreghini regularly lectures at universities and specialization courses.

• Over 12 years of experience in national and international business in Defense industry
• Experienced in successful cooperation’s in the area of B2B business – and of course B2G
• Initiated the path between Granta and Rheinmetall on Miltech 2023

François Arbault is Director for Defence Industrial Programmes  and acting Director for Defence Policy at the European Commission (DG DEFIS: Defence Industry and Space). He previously exercised various responsibilities within the Commission, the most recent being the policy coordination of the “European Green Deal” in the Secretariat-General, and his participation in the negotiation of the Withdrawal Agreement of the United kingdom from the EU at the “Article 50” Task Force. François had previously been the Head of the “Public procurement strategy” and the “Industrial Property” units in the Commission, after he was successively a member of the cabinets of Commissioners Jacques Barrot and Michel Barnier (2008-2013). François joined the Commission in 1995 after he graduated in law and political science, and studied European affairs at the College of Europe. After having worked notably at the Competition Directorate-General, he was seconded from 2003 to 2005 as a legal clerk (“référendaire”) to the Court of Justice of the European Union, where he was a member of the cabinet of the Portuguese judge at the General Court. François was also a member of the Legal Service of the Commission (2005-2008).   

As a Senior Contracting Officer at NCIA, Ms Navikaitė is a strategic and trusted business advisor in delivering C3 capabilities and CIS services for NATO’s operational demands, by providing agile, streamlined and adaptable procurement services at the speed of relevance that deliver value to NCIA’s customers across NATO Enterprise. Acting as a prime interface with Industry, Ms Navikaitė is a reliable business partner ensuring the integrity of NCIA’s acquisition processes in terms of ethical conduct, as well as fair, transparent and non-discriminative competition.

Valeria is the Strategic Partnerships Lead at OpenMinds, providing threat intelligence and response services to over 30 governments and organisations, including Ukraine, the UK, the US, NATO states, EU institutions, and StratCom agencies. She works across government, civil society, and technology to counter authoritarian influence. As the designer of Ukraine s first governmental media literacy program, Filter, Valeria launched national campaigns like the Media Literacy Test, reaching over 5 million people in a day, and led public interventions impacting over 10 million citizens in a month. She has also developed ministerial strategies to build societal resilience. Her work includes launching media literacy clubs across Ukraine and co-producing civic education projects with partners like UNDP, UNICEF, and Sweden. She has advised the Ukrainian government, OSCE, and IREX on strategic communications, societal resilience, and largescale behavioural interventions. A former BBC journalist, Valeria holds an MSc from LSE and fellowships from Chevening and the United Nations. 

Linas Kojala is a lecturer at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science (IIRPS) at Vilnius University and an associate expert with the Negotiation Task Force at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University (USA). He is a prominent public commentator on international affairs, regularly contributing to Lithuanian media.

Since July 2016, Kojala has served as Director of the Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC), with his second term beginning in 2021. Prior to this, he worked as a policy analyst at the same institution.

In 2020, he was a non-resident fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (USA). As a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright scholarship, he studied at Harvard University in 2017–2018. Kojala’s professional background also includes work in the media, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and leadership of international research projects. He has authored academic texts and co-authored several monographs.

He is the author of two books: “Europa? Conversations with Presidents, Ministers, Advisers and Taxi Drivers about Our Future” (2019) and “The White House and Lithuania: Bush, Obama, Trump..?” (2020). His commentary on international politics has appeared in global media outlets such as CNN, BBC, and various public broadcasters in Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

Julius Bartaševičius, Planning Engineer at the J55 Development Planning Board of the Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Julius is an expert in aerodynamics and drone technology, holding a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Glasgow. He has led an unmanned aerial vehicle flight test team and conducted extensive flight data analysis over seven years at the Technical University of Munich, where he is also pursuing his doctorate.

Dr. Tadas Jakštas, a cybersecurity capacity building expert with a lot of experience in managing international security and defence projects within various NATO and EU organizations. Prior to joining NRD Cyber Security, Tadas worked at NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence where he has been responsible for projects related to critical infrastructure protection, crisis management and industry systems cybersecurity. He has also worked at NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) as a coordinator of international defence capability building projects as well as on various EU cyber and energy security projects. At NRD Cyber Security Tadas is responsible for public and private sector cybersecurity strategy and policy building as well as CIIP. 

Dr Andrius Vilkauskas holds a PhD in Technological Sciences, Mechanical engineering. Before serving as a dean Andrius took various positions in Defence technologies industries at Giraite Armament Factory later he was sharing his experience in NATO Industrial Advisory Group representing Lithuanian delegation as a Head of Delegation and Deputy Head. In parallel with academic activities Andrius was working in Power and District heating manufacturing industry (CHP, Combined Heat and Power Plant) taking a part in Waste to Energy plant development from the green field till commercial operations since 2016 till 2024 taking a position as a Chairman of the Board at Kaunas Cogeneration Plant. Never less he also represents research and studies competencies and covers defense technologies file at Engineering and Technology Industries Association of Lithuania LINPRA taking a part as a board member and since 2020 he holds Vice President position at LINPRA (Engineering and Technology Industries Association of Lithuania). Since 2024 Andrius Vilkauskas holds senior researcher position at Institute of Mechatronics at Kaunas University of Technology and manages Aviation Specialist Training Center at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design at Kaunas University of Technology.

Co-Founder & CEO at Starflight Dynamics

Brendan O’Donoghue is an Executive Vice President at Mach Industries, a defense technology company dedicated to building next-generation platforms that maintain an allied edge. Prior to Mach, he held executive roles at ICON and Zipline, and co-founded software platforms used by over 100 government agencies. Earlier in his career, Brendan served as a Director at the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense. He holds an M.A. in international economics and finance from Johns Hopkins SAIS and a B.A. in economics from Hamilton College. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and two children.

Augustinas Vizbaras is the co-founder and Director of Business Development at BROLIS, a Lithuanian defense company specializing in advanced electro-optic systems. He holds a background in semiconductor technology, having studied at Vilnius University, the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, and the Technical University of Munich. Augustinas has authored and co-authored over 50 scientific papers and holds around 50 patents. Under his and his brother‘s leadership, BROLIS has delivered more than 60,000 systems to military forces in over 35 countries worldwide since 2014.

Colonel Vytautas Sriubas, Commander of Cyber Defence Command of Lithuanian Armed Forces. He is responsible for the functionality, security and cyber defence of military IT infrastructure and deployable communication and information systems.

Prof. Dr. Balboni is also a Member of the European Commission’s Expert Group on B2B Data Sharing and Cloud Computing Contracts. He has acted as legal counsel for the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) on several key projects. In addition, he co-chairs the Privacy Level Agreement (PLA) Working Group of the Cloud Security Alliance and serves as a Member of the Europrivacy Board of Experts.

Col. R. Petkevičius is the Director of the Defence Industries Policy and Innovation Department at the Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of Defence of Lithuania. With over 30 years of experience, he has held key national and international roles, including Defence Attaché to the U.S. and Canada, National Military Representative the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), and Director of the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence. A graduate of the Military Academy in Riga, he has contributed significantly to Lithuania’s NATO integration, cyber defence, and military innovation. Currently, he leads efforts to develop defence industry policy, drive technological modernization, and strengthen cooperation with international partners.

Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki serves as the Director-General of Armaments at the German Federal Ministry of Defence, a role he assumed in April 2018. With a distinguished naval career spanning nearly four decades, he has held senior leadership roles across engineering, logistics, operational command, and strategic defence planning.

A graduate in Electrical Engineering from the Federal Armed Forces University in Hamburg, Vice Admiral Stawitzki began his career as an officer at the German Naval Academy “Marineschule Mürwik.” His operational experience includes serving as Chief Engineering Officer on submarines, Marine Engineering Officer on frigates, and Deputy Marine Engineering Officer on the FGS Karlsruhe. He also commanded the German Naval Academy and later the prestigious Command and Staff College “Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr.”

In the strategic domain, he contributed to NATO and EU defence standardization, logistics planning, and international interoperability. He also served as Deputy and later Military Assistant to the German Minister of Defence, and was deployed to Afghanistan as the second-in-command of ISAF Regional Command North in 2013.

Robert Limmergård is Secretary General of the Swedish Security and Defence Industry Association (SOFF), representing companies in the defence, cyber security, and societal security sectors. Mr Limmergård has a background in industry, having worked for AB Volvo and GKN Aerospace, as well as for the Ministry for Defence and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. He holds two master’s degrees, in economics and political science.

Håkan Jevrell is the State Secretary to Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade. He has previously served as Sweden’s Ambassador to Singapore and as Sweden’s representative in Taiwan, and has extensive experience in foreign trade, legal affairs, and defense policy. Holding a Master of Laws from Stockholm University, he has also completed executive education at the Stockholm School of Economics and the Novare Leadership Academy.

Viktorija has 30+ years of excellent track record in strategic management and finance, listed among the Top-100 Women in Tech in Europe (2012). Currently she manages Coinvest Capital, an evergreen sovereign VC fund with EUR 44,3 million in committed capital. We co-invest with private partners to European startups that create value for Lithuania, from single-use defense, space, quantum technologies, AI to social impact.

By now we have coinvested EUR 44,6 million to 43 startups, including EUR 9,8 million for aerospace & defense. We have patient capital, best suited for long defense industry cycles, and unique in the world generous profit-sharing incentive for private co-investors. Coinvest Capital VC fund is #1 in Lithuania in 2023 & 2024 and #3 in 2024 in Central & Eastern Europe by the deal count.

Greta Monika Tučkutė is a former Deputy Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, who covered defence industry and procurement areas as well as cyber security policy. Currently Greta Monika is back to NATO HQ as a defense counsellor to Lithuania’s Permanent Representation at NATO. Prior to mentioned positions, she worked for more than two years as an advisor in NATO’s Human Security Unit (Office of NATO Secretary General). Also Greta Monika Tučkutė served as a political advisor to the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania from February 2017 to November 2020. In 2005, she established  and was running for more than 10 years an independent think tank – Centre for Geopolitical Studies, which focused on defence and security policy issues, geopolitical analysis and energy security questions. From 2011 to 2013, she worked in the ammunition factory based in Lithuania as a head of business development.

Managing Partner at ScaleWolf, former Vice Minister of Defense of the Republic of Lithuania Edvinas Kerza is a well-experienced leader, specializing in national as well as EU and NATO security. He is a Business Resilience expert with a proven track record in digital, cyber, corporate security, and also in compliance, risk management and business continuity issues.

As a Vice-Minister, Mr. Kerza was directly responsible for Lithuania Cyber defence (including policy, capabilities building, R&D, International project management (like European Union Cyber Rapid Response Teams, Regional Cyber Security Center, CRRT Toolkit development), MoD budget, Defence planning, International Cooperation with partners.

Kadri Tammai is the Regional Director at NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) and the lead for acceleration operations. Kadri has been a driving force behind innovation and deep-tech startup ecosystems in the New Nordics with over 15 years of experience in startup, security and dual-use fields. She has supported hundreds of startups founders and deep tech ventures across sectors such as AI, robotics, cyber defence, health tech, and space tech. Kadri’s expertise extends to fostering dual-use technologies and working with NATO’s cutting-edge innovation programs. She’s also an active mentor for startups and lecturer at the university.

Gediminas Guoba is a co-founder and CEO of Granta Autonomy. He is a professional engineer, team leader, and speaker for the last 20+ years with experience developing smart autonomous systems, from “simple” high scalability business systems to complicated and multi-discipline reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for armed forces. He has vast experience working with startups where speed, agility, and innovative ideas are essential. 

Colonel Eugenijus Lastauskas, Chief of the J7 Military Training Board, Defence Staff of the Republic of Lithuania. He is responsible for the military training of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, operational level training and exercises, and lessons learned in the Lithuanian Armed Forces. 

Colonel Eugenijus Lastauskas joined the Lithuanian Military Academy in 1995. During his service, he held the positions of Intelligence Officer, Battalion Commander, Director of the Strategic Communications Department of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and other positions. He participated in 4 missions in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Colonel holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Mykolas Romeris University. 

Stephen O’Bryan is the Corporate Vice President and Corporate Global Business Development Officer at Northrop Grumman, where he leads the company’s business development initiatives and international growth strategies. From 2018 to 2019, he was senior vice president and chief global business development officer for L3Harris Technologies. 

Prior to this, O’Bryan worked for Lockheed Martin, from 2004 to 2018, where he led numerous senior strategy and business development organizations, including F-35, Rotary and Mission Systems and Corporate International. He served with the U.S. Navy as an F/A-18 pilot and Top Gun Graduate. O’Bryan holds a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and a Master of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.

Director of the Defence Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

Dominykas (Dom) Milašius is a DeepTech entrepreneur and investor, with a decade of previous experience in strategic and geopolitical risk advisory across EMEA. As a co-founder of Delta biosciences, he manages the venture’s commercial strategy, including the radiation countermeasure testing in orbit. He is also an investment scout with BSV Ventures, a member of LitBAN and EBAN’s Space & Defence committee, and alumnus of the Paris Institute of Political Studies. 

Nataliia Kushnerska is the CEO of the Ukrainian defense tech cluster Brave1, leading its efforts to unite and develop the innovation ecosystem for the Security Forces of Ukraine. Under her leadership, Brave1 helps create asymmetric solutions that neutralize the enemy’s resource advantage, setting a unique model for other countries.

Kaspars Pollaks is the Director of LMT Defence, the Defence Technology Department of LMT, and a Board Member of the Latvian MilTech Association. LMT is a pioneering mobile communications operator with over 30 years of experience. As a system integrator, LMT Defence develops advanced digital solutions for the defence sector, including mission-critical battlefield information management systems, 5G-enabled UAVs, and bespoke defence technologies. In 2020, in collaboration with the Latvian Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces, LMT Defence established Europe’s first 5G military test site at a military base, reinforcing its position as an industry leader in defence innovation. The company is actively engaged in high-profile NATO and EU (EDF) projects, driving the development of next-generation, high-value defence technologies. By harnessing big data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and the latest mobile technologies, LMT Defence continues to deliver cutting-edge solutions for national and international defence customers.

Andrius Kubilius is a Member of the European Commission responsible for Defence and Space (since December 2024). From 1990 to 1992, he served as a Secretary-in-Charge of Lithuania’s pro-independence Sąjūdis movement and was the Chairman of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats from 2003 to 2015. A. Kubilius was a member of the Lithuanian Parliament from 1992 to 2019 and served twice as Prime Minister, from 1999 to 2000 and from 2008 to 2012. Andrius Kubilius was a Member of the European Parliament from 2019 until December 2024, during which he chaired the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly (until July 2024).

Staff Sergeant Matthew Miranda is an Innovation Strategist with the State Partnership Program, leveraging experience across Headquarters Air Force, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the private sector. He focuses on integrating emerging technologies into military capabilities, accelerating tech adoption, and strengthening multinational defense collaboration. 

Kadi Silde is the Director for European Engagement at Helsing, where her work is focused on Europe´s Eastern Flank, EU and NATO. 

Prior to that, she worked in various roles in NATO and the private sector, accelerating defence tech start-ups. She helped set up NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic), as Head of the transition team, and subsequently as Chief Operating Officer. 

 She previously served as Undersecretary for Defence Policy at the Estonian Ministry of Defence in 2019-2022.  

She joined the Ministry of Defence in 2008, holding various positions including the director of policy planning. She joined Estonia’s EU Council Presidency team at the Estonian Representation to the EU in 2017, coordinating defence efforts and subsequently worked in the European Commission on defence industry inititatives. 

As the Chief Information Officer, Ms. Macha securely delivers the foundations of digital transformation to the NCIA – which is the principal C3 capability delivery organisation and CIS service provider to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Ms. Macha oversees the internal IT ecosystem for the NCIA and as such enables delivery to support Alliance goals, driving forward the organisational, technical and cultural changes needed to continually evolve digital platforms to ensure fit for purpose. This also includes coordinating and implementing cyber security policy and the coherent implementation of cyber security tasks, including asset/configuration/access management, vulnerability assessments and threat risk management within the Agency.
As Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), her responsibilities include developing the Information Security (IS) vision and strategy; establishing informational security governance; CISOA authority for the Agency to the Enterprise, accreditation oversight and execution; and delivering CIS training for the full Agency to ensure the protection of Agency and Alliance information assets.

Kazimieras Sadauskas is a recognized cybersecurity expert and co-founder of CBRX, where he leads the development of AI-driven solutions against emerging cyber threats. With over a decade of experience in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), Cyber Threat Intelligence, and information security, he has managed R&D initiatives and built high-impact defense and security products. Kazimieras also served as an official expert in deploying the Cybersecurity Capacity Maturity Model for Nations created by the Oxford University, focusing on technological controls, education, training, and cyber culture maturity. Today, he’s dedicated to ensuring that sectors like renewable energy remain resilient in the face of evolving cyber risks. 

Dr. Hans C. Atzpodien has been Managing Director of the BDSV since 2017. He previously held senior management positions in the thyssenkrupp Group, including CEO of the thyssenkrupp Marine Systems division from 2007 to 2012 and CEO of the thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions business area with sales of €6 billion from 2012 to 2015. In 2009, Dr. Atzpodien was one of the co-founders of the BDSV, of which he was a member of the board from its foundation until 2016, including one year as President of the association. Dr. Atzpodien is a trained lawyer and also holds an academic degree in political and administrative sciences.

Sabine von der Recke is responsible for Political Relations and Communications at OHB SE. She is a member of the Management Board of OHB System AG, one of Europe’s leading space technology companies and the Group’s largest subsidiary, as well as a member of the Management Board of the German Offshore Spaceport Alliance (GOSA).  

From 2014 to 2021, she was Board Representative for Political and Government Affairs at OHB SE in Berlin. Prior, Sabine von der Recke worked as a research assistant and office manager in the German Bundestag from 2008-2014, including being an advisor to the Aviation and Space Group in the German Parliament. She studied political science at the Philipps University of Marburg. 

Sabine von der Recke has been Honorary Consul of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Bremen since 2023. She is a member of the DLR Senate, Vice President of the ZARM Sponsors’ Association and a board member of the Luxembourg-Germany Business Club. 

For many years, Wolfgang Koch, Fellow IEEE, is working for the German armed forces and defence industry. His work comprises all aspects of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance ISR, Electronic / Navigation Warfare, resources management, and Manned-Unmanned Teaming. Being the Chief Scientist of Fraunhofer FKIE and Head of “Sensor Data and Information Fusion” , he manages R&D activities related to digitalization in the defence and security domain. For the national technology development of the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) , he coordinates all defence-related Fraunhofer Institutes. At the international level, he is active in the International Information Fusion Society ISIF, the IEEE Aerospace and Electronics Systems Society AESS, and the NATO Science and Technology Organization STO. Wolfgang Koch earned his PhD in theoretical physics at the RWTH Aachen and his habilitation degree in computer science at the University of Bonn. There he teaches on signal processing, sensor data fusion, artificial intelligence, and technical autonomy. In these fields he has published a monograph, edited several handbooks, and wrote numerous technical handbook chapters and articles.

Laurynas Šatas is a CEO of Aktyvus Photonics – one of the fastest-growing defence startups in Lithuania. He is responsible for technical & business strategy while leading an ambitious & highly motivated team of laser experts. Aktyvus manufactures one of the most compact and powerful laser target designators in the world, enabling new, and disruptive concepts of operations. From studying at Vilnius University to holding high-ranking positions in multi-million-dollar companies as a Chief Technology Officer, Technology Development Advisor & more, Laurynas brings his vast experience to his current role, working towards establishing the technological superiority of NATO.

James Appathurai was appointed to this post in September 2021. As DASG, he works on policy development and implementation in the fields of Emerging and Disruptive Technologies, cyber security, energy security, the security implications of climate change, the protection of critical infrastructure, and hybrid defence. Mr. Appathurai previously served as DASG for Political Affairs and Security Policy, as well as Special Representative to Central Asia and the Caucasus. He was NATO’s Spokesperson from 2004 to 2010. He served as Deputy Head and Senior Planning Officer in the Policy Planning and Speechwriting Section of NATO’s Political Affairs Division from 1998 to 2004. He served in the Canadian Defence Department from 1994 to 1998.

Rita Sakus is a co-founder and board member of the Lithuanian Business Angel Network and a re-elected board member of the European Business Angel Network (EBAN), which represents early-stage investors in over 100 organizations across 50+ countries. She has contributed to the development of the EBAN Space and Defense Committee, fostering cross-border investment in these critical sectors. Committed to strengthening Europe’s defense innovation ecosystem, she brings deep expertise in early-stage investing and industry collaboration. 

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Dr. Dennis Gyllensporre is the Chair of NATO DIANA Board of Directors. He is also an Associate Professor of Security Policy and Strategy at the Swedish Defence University and Vice President of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences. 

Dovilė Šakalienė Minister of National Defence of Lithuania and a Member of the 14th Seimas. Before assuming her ministerial role, Šakalienė was elected to the Seimas in 2016 and has since played a pivotal role in shaping Lithuania’s security landscape. She has been an active member of the National Security and Defence Committee and has served as Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Group for Relations with Taiwan. Since 2021, as Deputy Chair of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, she has remained a driving force in defence policymaking, making her insights invaluable for today’s discussion.

Minister of Economy and Innovation, Member of Parliament, proud husband and father, irreparable optimist and enthusiast of green, innovative and digital economy.

Capt. Vitalii Voropai has been working in cybersecurity for 16 years. His journey includes the banking sector, the state sector, private companies, worldwide enterprise, and now – the armed forces. He has held positions ranging from junior engineer to head of department. 

Founder and CEO of OpenMinds, a cognitive defence tech company providing cognitive threat intelligence and response services to over 30 governments and organisations worldwide, including Ukraine, NATO members, the European Commission, leading StratCom agencies and think tanks.

Stéphane Klecha studied at the Europe School of Management (EAP-ESCP), obtained a Diplôme de Grande Ecole in France, a Master of Business in the UK and a Diplom-Kaufmann in Germany. After several years in a leading international investment bank, in 2009 he founded Klecha & Co., an independent pan-European investment bank specialising in the tech sector. 

The company, with offices in Milan, London, Paris, Madrid, Benelux and New York, operates with the aim of supporting, also through consolidation processes, the development of a Europe-wide tech ecosystem, particularly in strategic sectors. 

Mark Thompson leads the Technology Transfer (T2) Program for the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC). In this role, he manages inter-agency innovation activities by leveraging the FATHOMWERX Lab, NavalX Tech Bridge Network, and the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise – Coastal Trident (ANTX-CT) to provide opportunities for emerging naval technology development. 

Izabela Albrycht is a political scientist, graduate of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. 

Since 2016 a member of the Council for Digitization within the Ministry of Digital Affairs, and since 2021 a member of the Security and Defence Council under the National Development Council. In the years 2020-2022, she represented Poland in the NATO Advisory Group for Emerging and Disruptive Technologies. 

In 2020, she co-created Polish Cybersecurity Cluster #CyberMadeInPoland and is now chair of its Advisory Board. She is member of the Supervisory Board of Asseco Poland S.A. and ComCERT S.A. She also co-founded the Women4Cyber in the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO) and has recently become president of the W4C Polish Chapter. 

She is a co-founder of the European Cybersecurity Forum – CYBERSEC and honorary member of its Programme Committee. In the past she was chair of the Polish leading think tank, the Kosciuszko Institute (2010-2021), a member of Global Future Council on Cybersecurity in the World Economic Forum (2019 – 2020). 

Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo is a Europe correspondent for Defense News. She covers a wide range of topics related to military procurement and international security, and specializes in reporting on the aviation sector. She is based in Milan, Italy. 

Author Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo | Defense News 

He is a member of Lithuanian Rifleman Union and the Lithuanian National Defence Forces. He is also the leader of the Lithuanian NGO “Strong togerther”, which is one of the leading organisations that actively supports Ukraine.

Dr. Sigutė Stankevičiūtė is the Head of ManuFuture Lab at the Innovation Agency Lithuania.

Prof. Šešelgytė is an Honorary Fellow at Baltic Defense College, a member at Ares Group board and member of Editorial Board of the Baltic Security and Defence Review (Baltic Defense College). Her main research interests are the EU foreign and security policy, Security and Defence Studies, International Relations, and Foreign Policy Analysis.

Timo Pesonen is the current Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS). After graduating in 1989 in International Politics from the University of Tampere, he served at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2004 to 2014, he acted as Head of Cabinet of Vice-President Olli Rehn and from 2015-2019 he served as Director-General for Communication. He took helm of Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs in March 2019 and he accompanied the creation of DG Defence Industry and Space in 2020 as the head of the new Directorate-General.

The upcoming defence innovation event Baltic Miltech Summit will be opened by H.E. Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania. During his opening address, the President will outline key strengths of the Lithuanian defence ecosystem and his view for the future. In Lithuania, the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the State.

The European Defence Tech Hackathon will bring together the brightest minds in tech, engineering, and defence to collaborate on solving real-world challenges. Teams will work intensively over three days to develop innovative solutions in a fast-paced, competitive environment. The event fosters cross-border collaboration, offering a platform for new ideas that could shape the future of defence technology.

The Hackathon is organised together with Brave 1.

Read more and register here: https://lu.ma/edth-2025-vilnius

Vilnius Space Days is an event designed to showcase the Lithuanian space ecosystem and its potential.

Take part and discover exceptional opportunities in the space industry, discuss key space economy topics, and meet your potential partners.

Read more and register here: https://www.b2match.com/e/vilnius-space-days-2025

The event will be structured around three strategic pillars:

1. Coordination, Communication and Intelligence

• Resilient Communication Systems: Ensuring operational continuity in scenarios where mobile and traditional networks may be compromised.
• Joint Military-LEA Intelligence Operations: Enhancing cooperation among military intelligence, counterterrorism units, and LEAs to proactively identify and neutralize threats (the STARLIGHT toolbox).

2. Crisis Response and Integrated Command Operations

• Crisis-Era Civilian Engagement: Tools to enable bidirectional communication during evacuations and emergencies (ReBriNet).
• Command and Control Interoperability: Strengthening collaboration between police and military command structures (LEAD-PRO platform).
• AI-Driven Surveillance Technologies: Leveraging AI, drones, and satellite imagery for real-time situational awareness (COMPALAGO+DXi).
• Strategic Communication: Managing public information to sustain trust and order (Lithuanian Armed Forces STRATCOM).

3. Training and Capacity Building

• Joint Exercises: Utilizing virtual platforms to enhance coordination between LEAs and military actors through scenario-based simulations

Register here: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/Baltic_Miltech_Summit_Side_Event

The Live Firing Show 2025 is a key event for the defence sector, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and military professionals for a dynamic showcase of cutting-edge capabilities.

Taking place on May 8, 2025, this unique event offers a hands-on demonstration of the latest defence technologies in a real-world environment. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness live demonstrations, engage with key decision-makers, and explore innovative defence solutions shaping the future of security.

Organized by the National Defence Foundation in partnership with the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, the Live Firing Show has become an essential platform for fostering cooperation between industry, NATO, and EU stakeholders.

Read more and register here: https://livefiringshow.com/

Great opportunity to meet and learn about the partnership opportunities that Lithuanian and other Baltic defence and security companies can provide in terms of strengthening value and supply chains.

This exhibition is a great opportunity to explore the innovative solutions being developed by local tech entrepreneurs, with a focus on advancing security and defence technologies. Attendees will have the chance to meet founders and discuss potential collaborations or investments.

Participants: 

• UAB Kovo šarvai
• UAB ATRI
• UAB Verslo draugas
• UAB Astrolight
• UAB SoliTek
• UAB Luna Robotics
• UAB Delta Biosciences
• UAB Ostaralab
• UAB Cellular Expert
• UAB NT Service
• UAB Airvolve
• UAB AAM DEFENCE
• AI DRONE TECH
• UAB Dangolakis
• UAB SHAUP
• MB Comita Solutions
• UAB Axiology
• MB AKO
• Monopulse
• UAB Frankenburg Technologies
• UAB Standa
• UAB Unmanned Dynamics
• UAB IT logika (DBOX)
• RSI Europe
• LEVEL ELEVEN STUDIO
• Unbound Autonomy
• MB Mag militaris
• UAB Pulsetto
• KaiSense
• UAB LDSR sistemos
• Granta Autonomy
• Super Garden
• Kongsberg NanoAvionics
• UAB Vytis Tech
• Intelsight
• UAB Elarionas
• MB Talkon
• Blackswan Space
• UAB Mitekas
• Unmanned Defense Systems
• Census Labs
• Novian
• UAB Urgent Tools

Viktorija Navikaitė, Senior Contracting Officer at NCIA, will give a presentation on how to do business with NATO Communications and Information Agency and upcoming business opportunities for 2025 and will be ready to answer related questions. 

As a Senior Contracting Officer at NCIA, Ms Navikaitė is a strategic and trusted business advisor in delivering C3 capabilities and CIS services for NATO’s operational demands, by providing agile, streamlined and adaptable procurement services at the speed of relevance that delivers value to NCIA’s customers across NATO Enterprise. Acting as a prime interface with Industry, Ms Navikaitė is a reliable business partner ensuring the integrity of NCIA’s acquisition processes in terms of ethical conduct, as well as fair, transparent and non-discriminative competition.