Networking, promoting, researching: the powerful platform of MSC 2026 side events

17 February 2026

As part of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2026, numerous side events provided high-profile platforms for exchange, innovation dialogue, and strategic matchmaking. Prof. Dr. Corinna Schmitt took advantage of the opportunity as RI CODE and NCC-DE representative to participate in NATO DIANA's Defense & Security Days 2026, the Munich Security Breakfast 2026, and the MSC Innovation Night, underscoring her role as a catalyst and bridge builder between research, start-ups, industry, and security policy actors. The focus was on current developments in security research, European and transatlantic funding opportunities, and the targeted establishment of resilient innovation networks.

NATO DIANA Defence & Security Day

The NATO DIANA Defense & Security Days 2026 (February 10–12, 2026, MOTORWORLD Munich) marked the official launch of the third DIANA cohort with 150 innovators and brought together NATO representatives, the military, procurement agencies, industry, and ecosystem partners. The focus was on a curated three-day program with keynotes, innovator pitches, and strategic networking. This year's highlights included Meet the DIANA Cohort, Phase 2 pitches from the 2025 companies, insights into the Rapid Adoption Service (RAS) as NATO's fastest innovation adoption path, and a comprehensive overview of the German defense ecosystem with live demonstrations, exhibitions, and pitch sessions. Targeted networking formats and the digital platform for scheduling appointments also supported structured exchange between innovators, NATO institutions, and industry partners. Prof. Dr. Corinna Schmitt was involved as a key stakeholder in a challenge-based use case session on “Next-generation communication and navigation systems for defense use cases.” In the session, she discussed technology-based defense applications with innovators from the “Advanced Communication Technologies” and “Contested Electromagnetic Environments” challenges, asked critical validation questions, and supported the exchange between start-ups and security-related stakeholders.

Munich Security Breakfast

This year's Munich Security Breakfast provided an open and strategic framework for exchange between innovation stakeholders, security officials, investors, and political decision-makers in the context of MSC 2026. In a personal atmosphere, the focus was not on formal statements, but on honest discussions about current security policy challenges and technological solutions. It became particularly clear how important resilient networks and trusting partnerships between start-ups, established industry players, and public institutions are. It became clear that

• - security arises from dialogue and cross-sector networking is crucial,
• - dual-use and deep tech innovations are gaining strategic importance,
• - speed of innovation and implementation is becoming a competitive factor, and
• - resilience and technological sovereignty remain central themes.

Overall, the breakfast meeting demonstrated once again that early exchange and mutual understanding are central building blocks for a sustainable security architecture.

MSC Innovation Night

The MSC Innovation Night was a lively evening event that brought together innovators, decision-makers, founders, and investors to discuss forward-looking technologies and solutions in security and defense issues. In a relaxed atmosphere, the focus was on short keynote speeches, live demos, pitch moments, and lively discussions that not only highlighted innovation but also bridged the gap between ideas, implementation, and strategic relevance. The speakers clearly stated that

• Innovation needs a stage and networking, i.e., visibility and exchange strengthen cooperation between start-ups, research, and institutional players.
• Relevance meets reality, whereby technological solutions must not only be new, but also offer real operational added value;
• Interdisciplinarity is becoming essential as a success factor, with effective security technologies emerging where specialist disciplines work together;
• Early validation counts, and direct exchange with users, sponsors, and strategists accelerates the relevance and marketability test.

All in all, Innovation Night made it clear that agile exchange, bold ideas, and collaborative networks are key drivers for tomorrow's security and innovation agenda.

Further information and resources:

NATO-DIANA: https://www.diana.nato.int
Munich Security Breakfast: https://securitybreakfast.com
MSC Innovation Night 2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMrYJHhXGWc

^{Photos: RI CODE / Corinna Schmitt}