Motto 2025
“Defence Tech, Mil-Tech, or Dual-Use”
Recognising those who drive innovation in the fields of Defence Tech, Mil-Tech or Dual-Use applications, this year’s award ceremony is dedicated to promoting technological solutions that strengthen security, resilience, and sovereignty. The award honours start-ups based in the Baltic States that demonstrate outstanding initiative and ingenuity not only in product design and quality, but also in technology and innovation.
The German-Baltic Business Award 2025 underlines the crucial role these companies play in ensuring protection and stability, fostering strong partnerships in the Baltic-German economic area, and contributing to societal, economic, and technological progress in the Baltic States.
The main prize went to RSI Europe from Lithuania, a defence technology company delivering innovative remote strike capabilities and advanced FPV drone systems for frontline operations.
Second prize went to BROSWARM from Lithuania, which is developing cutting-edge drone-based mine detection technology to make demining faster, safer and more effective, to Frankenburg Technologies from Estonia, a startup building next-generation, highly scalable missile systems for modern air defence, and to LunaRobotics from Lithuania, a defence tech company creating AI-enhanced night-vision imaging systems for FPV drones that are already being tested in real combat environments.
Finalists
Aktyvus Photonics, founded in 2020, develops compact, lightweight laser target designators for defense applications, enabling rapid, precise battlefield operations. Leveraging Lithuania’s laser ecosystem, the company delivers innovative OEM solutions like Striker and Baudėjas for aerial and ground platforms.
BROSWARM is a Lithuanian deep-tech company creating the world’s first lightweight holographic radar for drones, enabling real-time underground threat detection. Using AI and swarm technology, it offers a faster, safer way to identify hidden dangers for both defense and humanitarian purposes.
DefSecIntel Solutions is an Estonian defense company developing AI-powered autonomous surveillance and counter-drone systems, including mobile platforms, USVs, and C-UAS solutions. Its flagship products, like SurveilSPIRE and EIRSHIELD, combine real-time sensor fusion and automated threat classification to enhance Europe’s security and NATO operations.
Frankenburg Technologies is a Baltic defense company developing next-generation short-range air defense systems, including the mass-producible Mark 1 counter-drone missile. Operating across all three Baltic States, it combines R&D, production, and testing to deliver effective, affordable, and rapidly deployable solutions for national defense and critical infrastructure.
HansaMatrix is a full-cycle electronics manufacturer offering rapid prototyping, volume production, and after-sales support across industries like defense, telecom, medical, and IoT. With expertise in electronics, mechatronics, and optics, it delivers reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable manufacturing solutions worldwide.
Luna Robotics is a Lithuanian defense tech startup that develops advanced night vision cameras, like LunaCam, for FPV drones, providing 24/7 visibility with secure, China-free manufacturing. They focus on enhancing drone operations for military and defense applications in Europe and the U.S.
RSI Europe is a Lithuanian defense tech company that develops advanced radio and electronic systems, including the Špokas FPV drone and remote explosives initiation tools, mainly for military applications. They export most of their products to countries like Ukraine, Germany, and France.
SPARK, based in Riga, designs and manufactures small and medium-sized surface and underwater vessels using advanced composite materials. Its lightweight, silent, and low-maintenance carbon-fiber boats, powered by next-generation Zerojet electric engines, combine innovation with practical functionality.
Unmanned Defense Systems (UDS) is a European developer of a sovereign, full‑kill‑chain unmanned warfare ecosystem that integrates ISTAR, loitering munitions, and C2 into autonomous swarm operations. Its battle‑tested platforms and software provide GNSS‑denied operation, electronic‑warfare resilience, and rapid, modular deployment for precise, end‑to‑end mission execution.
Evaluation Criteria
The following criteria were assessed:
- Innovation
- Market potential and scalability
- Strategic contribution to security
- Military relevance, impact and real-world applicability
- Profitability of the business model
- Team: Competence, experience and commitment
- Connection to Germany
- Idea and quality of the pitch (regarding the nine finalists, final vote)
Award
Three winners will be nominated. The three winners (gold, silver, bronze) can be selected from all participating companies, regardless of their location, so the winners are not tied to a specific country.
The winners of this year's German-Baltic Business Award will be awarded the title ‘Defense Tech Innovator of 2025’.
The three winners of the German Baltic Business Award 2025 will be invited to participate in the 2nd German-Baltic Defense Industry Conference in Vilnius: https://www.bdc2025.com/
Another advantage is the significant media attention that the three winners of the German-Baltic Business Award will receive in Germany and the Baltic States, particularly via the AHK's social media channels. In addition, the winners will be published in the Baltic Business Quarterly, Spring 2026 edition.
Timetable
Jury
The submitted applications will be evaluated by a competent jury consisting of high-ranking industry representatives.
- Büchner, Max, Founder and Fund Manager, Speer Group GmbH
- Gruodis, Paulius, Partner, Ellex (Vilnius, Lithuania)
- Kühn, Christoph (Lieutenant Colonel), Deputy Director and Chief of Staff, NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence (CCDCOE), Tallinn
- Lederer, Lauritz, Scout & Analyst, Diehl Ventures GmbH
- Schröder, Florian, CEO, German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce (AHK)
- Semeška, Vilius (former Vice Minister of Defence, Lithuania), Board member & Sales and marketing director, Lithuania Defense Services (LDS) - joint venture of Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG (KMW)
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