Finnish accelerator 17Tech to open R&D centre in Kyiv

Finnish defence tech accelerator 17Tech has announced the establishment of a research and development centre in Kyiv, enabling European startups to develop and test their technologies in close cooperation with Ukrainian service personnel, military units, and defence sector experts.

Concurrently, 17Tech has opened applications for its upcoming accelerator cohort, which will kick off on 1 September 2026 and take place across both Finland and Ukraine. The company plans to select 17 startups for the programme.

The initiative is tailored for companies developing cutting-edge defence or dual-use technologies. Applications are open to early-stage teams with an initial concept, as well as developers with advanced prototypes or existing products that require validation in real-world environments.

Priority fields for the programme encompass unmanned systems and counter-UAS technologies, electronic warfare, sensors and detection systems, artificial intelligence, robotics, field logistics, protection solutions, communications and command systems, and software designed to support tactical decision-making.

According to 17Tech founder and CEO Antti Kosunen, the centre is being established to bridge the gap between developers and end-users, allowing teams to evaluate their solutions directly with military personnel and ensure they effectively address immediate operational requirements.

Through the programme, startups will receive critical feedback from service personnel and defence experts, stress-test their solutions in field conditions, identify core product development priorities, and prepare for entry into international defence markets.

The company noted that upon validating a proposed operational use case and ensuring the technology meets essential performance thresholds, selected solutions may undergo further testing in combat conditions.

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