Patria at DECOI 2025, a Slush side event

DECOI has already established itself as Northern Europe’s leading arena focused on defence and security technology. The event was created in 2024 out of a need to bring together emerging innovations and investors at a time when the global security situation and the importance of dual-use technologies are becoming increasingly prominent. Recent developments have shown that the defence and security sector increasingly attracts private capital, and DECOI offers a concrete forum for these worlds to meet.

This year’s event is organized jointly by the Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN) and the EU-supported EUDIS Matchmaking. The main partners of the event are Patria, the Embassy of Latvia in Finland, and Enterprise Estonia. Supporters of the event include Millog, Digital Defence Ecosystem, BSV Ventures, and the Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries – PIA ry.

“Patria is very active in research and development, and it is important for us to support this ecosystem that brings together the latest in dual-use technologies and the needs of the defence sector. With these very rapidly evolving technologies, product development and innovation are only possible through cooperation, which enables activities that enhance security and international competitiveness,” says Kari Renko, Executive Vice President of Strategic Programs at Patria. 

“As the world changes, we must find new ways to protect our societies and ensure our security. Startups need a channel through which their solutions reach the right audience, and where investors can meet the makers of the future. DECOI25 does just that – it brings together innovation, capital, and the needs of the defense sector. We need more action and less talk,” says CEO of FIBAN Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen.

The event will feature a selected group of companies pitching their solutions in two categories: startups and scale-ups. The invitation-only audience will include angel investors, venture capitalists, and representatives from the defence and security sector from across Europe.  ​

PROGRAM

8.15 Doors open: Morning coffee and breakfast
​9.15 DECOI Opening words
Elli Flen, host of the event
Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen, FiBAN CEO
Harri Tallinn, CIVITTA Partner
​Guillaume de la Brosse, Head of Unit, DG DEFIS, European Commission
Pasi Välimäki, Commander of the Finnish Army,  Lieutenant General
10.30 Networking break
11.00 Development of Defense Tech Startups in Nordics
Teppo Havo, General Manager, Danske Bank Growth
11.10 Fireside chat
Topic: Strategic Deals in Early-Stage Critical Tech - What It Takes to Close a Deal with a Prime
Erik Bhullar, General Partner, BSV Ventures
Henry Härm, CEO & Co-Founder, Wayren
11.25 Panel discussion
Topic: Engineering for Edge - R&D Driving the Future of Ground-Based Defence
Kari Renko, Patria, Executive Vice President, Strategic Programs
Kuldar Väärsi, CEO and founder of Milrem
Kristaps Puķe, CEO of Natrix
Elli Flen, the host
​12.00 Lunch
13.00 FiBAN Startups pitching
13.40 EUDIS Matchmaking Scale-ups pitching
14.20 Closing speech
Elina Valtonen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Finland
​14.30 Closing words and winner announcement
Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen, FiBAN CEO
Timo Kivinen, Former Chief of Defence, Finland
14.40 Networking
16.00 Event ends