Defense technology was an unexpected but relevant key area at Techarena 2025. In a field usually linked with rapidly expanding finance, AI, and climate technology, this year's talks demonstrated an increasing urgency surrounding innovation in defense and security.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson introduced the event by emphasizing the term "peace tech," a reference to the increasingly hazy boundaries between military innovation and civilian resilience. The subject also permeated the noteworthy side session "Empowering Defense Tech – Funding for Growth," which was co-hosted by Danske Bank Growth and EKN (the Swedish Export Credit Agency).

Even with record-high demand and escalating geopolitical tensions, many defense IT businesses find it difficult to secure the funding they require to grow. As a number of presenters pointed out, funding is the issue, not market preparedness. Because a robust defense is the cornerstone of freedom and prosperity, defense technology is maybe the finest investment you can make, according to Stefan Granlund, Head of Growth & Impact at Danske Bank.

A research by Danske Bank estimates that there are about 130 defense tech businesses in the Nordic area, valued at a total of SEK 3.7 billion. Currently, half of the members of Sweden's national industrial organization, SOFF, are startups. Investments in defense technology have even outpaced those in artificial intelligence throughout Europe.

Funding is still scarce, though. Granlund underlined that many institutional investors and venture capital organizations still do not have the authority to participate in the defense, frequently calling for dual-use goods that have both military and civilian uses.