---
title: "Estonia to host the first European defence AI and cybersecurity accelerator"
id: "32369"
type: "post"
slug: "estonia-to-host-the-first-european-defence-ai-and-cybersecurity-accelerator"
published_at: "2018-11-19T02:28:06+00:00"
modified_at: "2018-11-19T02:39:32+00:00"
url: "https://estonianworld.com/technology/estonia-to-host-the-first-european-defence-ai-and-cybersecurity-accelerator/"
markdown_url: "https://estonianworld.com/technology/estonia-to-host-the-first-european-defence-ai-and-cybersecurity-accelerator.md"
excerpt: "In the spring of 2019, Estonia is to host the first European defence artificial intelligence and cybersecurity accelerator; early-stage startups in the field are invited […]"
taxonomy_category:
  - "Technology"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "Cyber security"
  - "Estonian startups"
  - "Startup Wise Guys"
taxonomy_post_format:
  - ""
publisher: "Estonian World"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sten Hankewitz"
author_url: "https://estonianworld.com/author/stenhankewitz/"
---

# Estonia to host the first European defence AI and cybersecurity accelerator

![Image](https://estonianworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Cyber-security-shutterstock_667553824.jpg)

By  [Sten Hankewitz](https://estonianworld.com/author/stenhankewitz/)
  ·  November 19, 2018  · [Technology](https://estonianworld.com/category/technology/)
 · 2 minutes of reading

### In the spring of 2019, Estonia is to host the first European defence artificial intelligence and cybersecurity accelerator; early-stage startups in the field are invited to apply to take part in it.

The programme, called CyberNorth, is developed by the business-to-business accelerator, Startup Wise Guys, in collaboration with the Estonian Defence Industry Association and supported by the Estonian ministry of defence, the organisers said in a statement.

Cybernorth will start in March 2019 and run for three months in the Estonian capital, Tallinn.

Apart from the general network of over 150 Startup Wise Guys mentors, the [CyberNorth programme](https://startupwiseguys.com/cybernorth/)
 will leverage the expertise of the Estonian defence industry and international cybersecurity, defence AI experts and practitioners, the organisers said.

### An investment of up to €30,000

Startups selected to the programme will receive an investment of up to €30,000 with a follow-on possibility, a three-month hands-on intensive acceleration programme with a business development and cybersecurity focus, and access to a network of over 150 mentors and more than 100 investors. The teams will relocate to Tallinn and get free space in a modern co-working for the duration of the acceleration program, the organisers added.

Startup Wise Guys runs a boutique startup accelerator since 2012. It has accelerated more than 100 startups in 11 cohorts, focusing on B2B SaaS and fintech early stage startups.

The Estonian Defence Industry Association was founded in 2009 and it represents all the main defence and security industry related enterprises in Estonia. The association has 114 members.

I

The cover image is illustrative.

## About The Author

![Avatar photo](https://estonianworld.com/wp-content/uploads/local-avatars/15/1707599474-bpfull-100x100.jpg)

[Sten Hankewitz](https://estonianworld.com/author/stenhankewitz/)
Sten Hankewitz is a lifelong journalist and the Executive Editor at Estonian World. Having lived in Estonia, Spain, the UK and all around the US, he now resides in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He loves to write and besides working at Estonian World, he [writes books](https://estonianworld.com/culture/the-grand-illusion-estonian-worlds-sten-hankewitz-publishes-a-novel-about-growing-up-in-the-soviet-union/)
 and contributes to other outlets. He has strong convictions and shows them unashamedly. You can follow Sten on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@stenhankewitz)
, [X](https://twitter.com/stenhankewitz)
 and [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/shankewitz/)
. You can also [email him](mailto:sten@estonianworld.com)
.