Vadym Wahlberg is an entrepreneur and defense pioneer operating at the intersection of AI, drone technology, and European security. Moving from the environmental field into frontline crisis response, Vadym fundraised and directed the largest drone academy in Ukraine and drove strategy, partnerships, and sales across the defense sector. In March 2026, he joined STARK Defence, a software-defined unmanned systems company to open and lead their commercial activities in the Nordics. Holding an MBA, Vadym lectures on rapid innovation and how emerging technologies are reshaping security, modern business economics and industrial competitiveness.
Tech talk | How startups are changing European defense: AI, drones and competitiveness
How are new technologies and investment changing Europe's defence industry, and what opportunities does this create for future entrepreneurs and business leaders? Join Vadym Wahlberg, Nordics Lead at STARK Defence, as he explores how young companies develop and scale critical technologies under pressure, while navigating the challenges of rapid innovation and responsible decision-making.
Artificial intelligence and software-defined architectures are fundamentally transforming the defense sector, changing how technology is built, deployed, and scaled. Today, Europe faces a new economic and geopolitical reality: legacy multiyear development cycles are giving way to weekly software iterations, alongside growing investment in defense technology and deep-tech startups.
In this seminar, Vadym Wahlberg unpacks how agile startups like STARK Defence are challenging established defense manufacturers and developing new technologies for European security at a faster pace.
Drawing on his personal journey from the environmental field to fundraising, directing Ukraine’s largest drone academy, and driving strategy in defense tech, he will examine the unique economics of drone technologies, the mechanics of rapid hardware-software scaling, and the ethical guardrails governing AI autonomy under NATO guidelines.
Finally, he will challenge the participants to understand how fast-moving technology, capital flows, and high-stakes risk management will shape future career opportunities and European leadership.
Key takeaways include understanding the importance of rapid adaptability, exploring the role of drones and AI in modern defense, and identifying future business and career opportunities in Europe's evolving tech landscape.