The Pitch Stage at UDT 2026 is your gateway to the latest thinking and cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of undersea defence. This dedicated space brings together start-ups and SMEs driving innovation across the subsea landscape.
Visitors can discover cutting-edge solutions and experience them firsthand through live demonstrations, and gain insight into how new ideas are being supported and scaled within the undersea domain at the Pitch Stage.
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As part of this year’s programme, we are hosting a dedicated Innovation Meet‑Up on Day 2 from 14:00 to 15:00 at The Pitch Stage. This Meet-Up brings together SMEs, startups, research groups, and venture capital to explore collaboration opportunities, funding pathways, and capability development across the defence and maritime innovation ecosystem. The aim of this Meet-Up is to bring the right people together to share insights, foster new partnerships, and explore collaborative opportunities across the evolving undersea technology landscape.
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The Pitch Stage will host live demonstrations at UDT 2026, featuring practical showcases of innovative technologies designed for undersea defence applications. These sessions will highlight solutions addressing real-world challenges such as operational efficiency, training enhancements, and emerging maritime threats.
Each demonstration will provide attendees with a closer look at how these technologies work in practice, offering insights into their capabilities and potential impact on defence operations. Presenters will walk through key features, use cases, and integration possibilities, followed by opportunities for discussion and questions.
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From the challenges driving demand to the technologies shaping tomorrow, sessions exploring defence investment at the Pitch Stage will introduce a focus area for UDT on the funding landscape in undersea defence technology.
Through investor perspectives, founder experiences, and real success stories, these sessions offer practical guidance for SMEs and newcomers looking to enter the sector. Attendees will gain insight into navigating early-stage investment, understanding what attracts defence-focused capital, and positioning themselves to evolve and grow in this rapidly developing market.