On September 25 in Lviv, Snake Island Institute, together with AB3 TECH, Women in Defense Tech, and the 3rd Army Corps, hosted the Combat-Driven Innovation Showcase — a high-impact event where soldiers themselves became presenters of the technologies they created and tested on the battlefield.
Ten military teams showcased frontline-built solutions — from drone automation and electronic warfare tools to autonomous ground interceptors — to a jury of military and defense industry experts. The competition awarded $22,000 in grants to accelerate the development and deployment of the most promising innovations.
💬 As Viktoriia Honcharuk (“Tori”), Head of Defense Tech at Snake Island Institute, noted:
“Soldiers are not only the end users, but also the creators, the doers, the developers themselves. We’re here to open a new chapter of defense tech and give the military a pen to write on. We’re here to support our military developers, innovators, and we’re excited about the potential they are about to reveal.”
The goal of the Showcase was to strengthen Ukraine’s Armed Forces by scaling and deploying innovations developed directly on the frontlines — supported with funding, materials, and expertise — and to connect Ukrainian inventors with the global defense community.
Grant winners of the Showcase included:
Dronebase — a software system automating FPV drone configuration and accounting;
Toad — a low-cost, disposable electronic warfare tool that can be air-dropped near enemy FPV launch sites;
Direktoria — an autonomous ground-based turret with interceptor missiles for counter-drone defense.
Beyond the competition, networking sessions provided participants with opportunities to connect with investors, partners, and mentors — expanding collaboration beyond the event itself.
Snake Island Institute is proud to support initiatives that bridge the gap between innovation and combat reality — ensuring that every technological breakthrough is driven by those who defend freedom on the frontlines.
