Announcing the Nordic Space & Defence Summit 2026: March 18–19, Kista

Event partner: Kista Science City
Location: On-site in Kista, Stockholm
Registration: nordic-space-defense-summit-2026.confetti.events

Space tech and defence tech are converging at speed—both powered by deep tech, both drawing significant investment, and both sharing markets, capabilities, and talent. Building on that momentum, THINGS is expanding the Nordic Space Summit into a larger, sharper, and truly pan-regional meeting place: the Nordic Space & Defence Summit (NSDS26).

From a Nordic idea to a New Nordic platform

THINGS kick-started a Nordic collaboration in space tech in September 2024, recognising that each country alone is too small to achieve global scale—but together, the Nordics and Baltics can attract more resources, enable powerful partnerships, and build world-class support for tech companies. Nordic Space Summit 2025 became the first acid test—and it worked—revealing strong overlap with defence tech and significant industry demand.

In 2026, the event evolves accordingly. Nordic Space & Defence Summit now embraces the broader “New Nordic” home market—the Nordic and Baltic countries—while welcoming an international audience.

What’s new in 2026

  • Bigger format: Two compact, high-energy days—starting after lunch on March 18 and closing in the afternoon on March 19—designed for maximum business creation in minimum time.

  • Richer programme: A networking dinner, domain-specific matchmaking (one for Space, one for Defence), side events, exhibitions, and a packed main-stage programme.

  • Who you’ll meet: Startups, corporates, investors, media, and public agencies—the full stack of stakeholders needed to drive visibility, resources, networks, innovation and, most importantly, business.

  • Three strategic collaboration domains:

    Earth Observation
    Secure Space Communication
    Defense Technologies

Programme style

NSDS26 is a startup-style event: short presentations, high energy, premium networking. Expect keynotes from leading voices in space and defence, expert and policymaker insights, startup pitches from across the region, an innovation award ceremony, and a best-in-class business mingle to wrap up day one. The design supports pre- and post-meetings as well as workshops to deepen collaboration across sectors.

A collaborative effort in Kista

The 2026 edition is organised by THINGS in close collaboration with our friends at Kista Science City and will be held on-site in Kista. 

Get involved

This is the place to be if you are selling to, buying from, investing in, or mapping the New Nordic space and defence ecosystem.

Join us in Kista on March 18–19, 2026, for the Nordic Space & Defence Summit—where the New Nordic turns deep tech into real business.

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