K-Works: Supporting Swiss Defense and Security Small-Sized Enterprises and Startups

With two hot wars on Europe’s doorstep and America questioning its resolve to underwrite Europe’s freedom, Europe is forced rethinking its defense posture. Ukraine has shown the importance of robust defensive capabilities and rapidly adopting emerging technologies for national defense. Switzerland has world-class technologies, yet unlike the US and Israel, Swiss small-sized enterprises and startups largely avoid pursuing defense and security applications of their technologies.

Defense and Security technology small-size enterprises and startups are courted from Washington DC to Paris and Berlin – yet the Swiss defense and security eco-system remains an unwelcoming place. K-Works offers an opportunity for a community of dedicated Swiss-based entrepreneurs interested in defense and security applications to network and identify opportunities. By sharing our experiences and challenges – e.g., a tiny home market, a lacking industrial policy, slow procurement processes, export restrictions, and an absence of investors specialized in Business2Government ventures – we can work together towards shaping and improving our future environment.

We invite you to our first K-Works networking evening on Thursday, 29 February 2024. We have selected a handful of inspiring speakers to address key pain points in short talks; sharing success stories and insights. The following networking aperitif will allow us to connect in an informal atmosphere.

Hosts, speakers, and organizers include:
Rico Chandra                Founder Arktis Radiation Detectors
Armando Geller            Managing Partner Scensei
Stephan Hirth               SVP, Head of Business Area Innovation RUAG AG
Martin Karkour             Vice President, Head of Aerospace & Defense Germany – Capgemini
Tom Rothacher             Leiter Wissenschaft und Technik, armasuisse
Alexander Schläpfer   Swisscom Ventures
Hans Tran                      Industry Lead Digital Native - Google Cloud
Giovanni Putignano    Public Sector Lead - Google Cloud
Matthias Zoller             GS SWISS ASD und VRP K&J Schmittschneider AG

An event under the patronage of SWISS ASD - The Aeronautics, Security and Defense Sector of Swissmem