With a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, and a postgraduate degree in Management from Universidade Nova de Lisboa, José Neves is Member of the Board of Directors of GMVIS SKYSOFT. Since 2019, he is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of AED, the Portuguese Aeronautics, Space and Defence Cluster. In this period the Cluster has doubled its staff and practically tripled its members. Since June 2025, José Neves is also Board Member of ASD Europe. Representing 4000 member companies, which manufacture products in Europe
José Neves is an expert for the Committee on Artificial Intelligence in Aviation, SAE G-34 Standard for the Process for Development and Certification of Products Related to Aeronautical Safety, Implementing Artificial Intelligence, founder and member of the NATO FAMOS Working Group, which addresses the interoperability of onboard avionics systems, and is also an expert for the European Commission for the Horizon 2020 Clean Aviation Programme. José Neves is a trainer in the Course in (Portuguese) National Defence Law and in the Advanced Programme in Defence Economics.

Unmanned VX is a specialized venture capital fund based in Tallinn. Meri has extensive experience across various startup ecosystem initiatives and strong insight into the defense industry through the defense company that backs the fund.

Vasco has specialized in coordinating and managing EU-funded projects for over 10 years, focusing on R&D and Innovation incentives. With experience in over 20 H2020 and Horizon Europe projects, he has led international consortia across diverse sectors, including Economic Development, Aerospace, Science and Technology, Entrepreneurship, Private Sector Development, Innovation, Communication, International Cooperation and Trade/ Internationalisation, Sustainability, Circular Economy, among others. His professional career includes working in other consulting firms, where he focused on innovation management, consulting, and business development. In 2017, while based in Beijing, China, he supported the expansion of the company's business and presence in the Chinese market, alongside advancing key ongoing projects with China.

Novica Mrdovic Vianello is an Italian technology VC and PE investor,
and former General Manager of international public corporations with
demonstrated success of working in the Hi-Tec industry worldwide.
He is a General Partner of Mountain X, Aerospace and Dual Use Defense
VC fund, and was the Managing Partner of VC fund Star Tech Ventures,
Partner of VC fund Silicon Roundabout Ventures, Managing Partner in
Add Value Investment Holding Company, General Partner of PE fund
WBPE and Portfolio Manager of PE fund AVM Gestioni SGR SpA.
Previously in USA as General Manager at NeoPhotonics and JDS
Uniphase (Lumentum).
He studied at University of Massachusetts, University of Belgrade,
Imperial College of London and Wharton, and holds MScEE and
MBA.

Serial founder turned investor in >150 startups and VC funds. Focused on deeptech and startups transforming laggard markets. Founders who are solving big problems for the world and building the future. - Co founder www.dragonchasers.org VC GP & LP community and www.allocate.gp. - Co founder www.theicelist.com, supporting over 600 tech Founders since 2009; not-for-profit. - Producer, screenwriter www.port20productions.com and fan of 20th Century military history.

With extensive experience in business management, Jose has held leadership positions across retail, export, internationalization, and commercial and marketing management roles in a range of industries. In recent years, they have focused on commercial and marketing functions, including coordinating sales teams, overseeing budgeting and strategic planning, adapting business models to diverse industrial contexts, and driving customer care and service KPI improvement.

Currently serving as a Business Developer at Instituto Pedro Nunes, they are responsible for prospecting and managing new project and service opportunities within the institute’s R&D laboratories, supporting innovation-driven growth and client engagement.

Oisin Zimmermann is the Managing Director of Di5, Norway’s defence innovation hub, where he leads programs accelerating dual-use and defense technology development through strategic collaboration between industry, startups, and the public sector.

With extensive experience in technology leadership and innovation management, Oisin has held senior positions at Kongsberg Innovasjon and other pioneering organizations at the intersection of defense, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies. His professional background spans technical product development, entrepreneurship, and venture support within Norway’s growing defense and security ecosystem.

Drawing on years of experience bridging operational expertise and innovation strategy, Oisin champions the creation of resilient, future-ready capabilities that strengthen Norway’s and Europe’s defense innovation landscape.

CEO and software leader at Beyond Vision, a company at the forefront of enhancing the reliability and operational value of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Holding a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing from the University of Lisbon (UNL), he specialized in developing advanced algorithms for object recognition and localization in drone systems.

With years of experience in leadership, project management, and UAV innovation, he has spearheaded national and international projects, published scientific research, and received the prestigious Altice Innovation Award for technological excellence.

Deeply committed to the continuous evolution of Beyond Vision, he strives to advance global scientific and technological progress by developing meaningful, high-impact solutions. His work is guided by a strong passion for discovery, a determination to solve real-world challenges, and a collaborative spirit that thrives on working alongside talented and driven professionals.

Chief Operations Officer at Reaction Dynamics, contributing to the future of the Canadian space launch industry through the development of environmentally friendly hybrid rocket engines. Joining the company in 2017, he advanced from Test Site Manager to Test and Launch Lead, and since 2023, has overseen operations as COO, driving innovation and execution across all launch programs.

His work at Reaction Dynamics reflects a deep commitment to sustainable aerospace technology and the advancement of Canada’s independent launch capabilities.

Vladimír joined RVmagnetics in 2019 to lead the company’s commercialisation strategy. Since then, he has been instrumental in transforming the deep-tech startup into a globally recognised sensor technology partner. He developed and executed market-entry strategies that secured revenue streams from Fortune 500 clients across the globe, positioning RVmagnetics as a trusted partner for advanced industrial and defence applications.
Vladimír has a background in Finance and Management and over 20 years of international B2B experience, including leading cross-border teams and scaling businesses across several industries.

Marco Zerauschek is the Founder and Lead Strategist of Disruption Foresight, an advisory firm helping organizations achieve strategic clarity and build resilience in rapidly evolving environments. His work bridges foresight methodology, systems thinking, and cross-sector innovation to enable leaders to anticipate disruption and turn uncertainty into a competitive advantage.

Thiago Vieira is the CEO of Cybertech Acceleration at incubou.com, bringing over sixteen years of experience in technology and entrepreneurship. A former developer turned two-time founder with one successful exit, Thiago combines deep technical insight with strategic business leadership.
He leads COREangels Cyber & DefenseTech, fostering innovation and investment in early-stage cybersecurity and defense technology startups. In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Thiago is a lawyer and professor, contributing to the intersection of technology, business, and regulation.
Recognized internationally as a Global Leader Award winner for Cybersecurity, Thiago continues to empower founders and build meaningful bridges between innovation, security, and global market expansion.

Investor and Founder of Entropy Industrial Capital, an investment firm focused on early-stage technology infrastructure supporting critical industries. Through Entropy, he backs innovative founders building scalable, resilient solutions that strengthen the backbone of industrial and national ecosystems.

With a vision rooted in long-term sustainability and technological sovereignty, he plays an active role in guiding portfolio companies from concept to commercialization, bridging deep-tech innovation with strategic capital.

Frederico Fernandes is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise, where he plays a key leadership role in steering strategic operations and growth initiatives within the global aviation sector. Bringing extensive industry experience, he focuses on enhancing operational excellence, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable development across the enterprise’s aviation activities.

Frederico’s expertise spans corporate governance, business development, and aviation ecosystem collaboration, positioning him as a vital contributor to the company’s international success and future-facing aviation solutions.

Attorney-at-law and strategic advisor with a proven track record in deal structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and foreign direct investment (FDI). As the founder of Oruga Group (est. 2009), Olga advises international companies, startups, and government bodies on complex transactions, regulatory frameworks, and market entry strategies. A trusted partner to family offices, institutional investors, and sovereign stakeholders, particularly in high-impact sectors of the economy, FDIs and PPPs. An active angel investor and mentor, Olga supports early-stage ventures with hands-on guidance in project management, fundraising structuring, regulatory advice and compliance, business development, and corporate structuring.

Ricardo Luz is an Expert Partner at Civitta Portugal and serves as the Vice-President of the European Business Angels Network (EBAN). In these roles, he leverages his deep expertise in entrepreneurship, startup ecosystems, and early-stage investment to foster innovation and growth across Europe.

Ricardo is recognized for his strategic insights into venture capital, business acceleration, and fostering cross-border collaboration within the investment community. His leadership at Civitta and EBAN drives impactful support for innovative startups and investor networks.