Speakers
Max VillmanModerator
Max Villman is a former Swedish Air Force Major and JAS 39 Gripen fighter pilot with extensive operational experience as Mission Commander and Flight training Instructor. He holds an Economics degree from Stockholm University and is now Managing Partner & Founder of venture capital company Gungnir Capital AB as well as leading defense thought leader with 1M+ monthly YouTube/podcast views and is a public voice in the security and leadership space. Through his channels and lectures Max helps audiences in Sweden and internationally better understand military developments, defence strategy, leadership, and the rapidly evolving security landscape with direct access to European defense establishments.
Procurement at Speed – Building Nordic Defence Capability
How can the Nordic countries procure commercial, industrial and dual-use technologies faster while strengthening security of supply and retaining long-term control?
The panel examines how common requirements, coordinated demand, supply-chain visibility and earlier supplier involvement can reduce cost and delivery time. Representatives from digital services, software integration, critical components and platform manufacturing will discuss how the Nordics can use proven commercial technologies and create stronger routes for new suppliers into defence.
Building a Nordic Defence Company – Capital, Control and Personal Risk
Entering defence changes more than a company’s customer base. It affects how the company is financed, governed and protected. It can also increase the personal exposure of founders and employees.
This panel brings together perspectives from across the Nordic defence ecosystem: a founder, a bank, an investor and a risk-management specialist. They will discuss what changes when a company enters defence and how founders should prepare financially, operationally and personally for growth across Nordic and international markets.
Johan Gullman-StrandHead of Research, Development & Innovation at FMV
Dr Gullman-Strand is responsible for the agency’s R&D projects in developing new systems for the Swedish armed forces and supporting Ukraine with defence innovation initiatives. He has an academic background in computational fluid dynamics and experience from the energy sector within R&D and innovation including offshore oil & gas, new renewable solutions and nuclear power development before joing FMV in 2019. Current focus is enabling defence innovation in Sweden and internationally, including business model design, process innovation and new procurement methods for innovation.
Crossing defense's valley of death
A successful test does not automatically lead to operational deployment. Technologies can remain stuck between demonstration, procurement and scale because mandates, budgets and responsibilities are divided between different organisations.
This panel examines who has the authority to turn a successful test into a first order—and then a second. Starting with the Swedish decision chain, the discussion will explore what Sweden can learn from European cooperation, coordinated demand and shared routes to testing, adoption and scale.
Jens BogarveCTO @ Advenica
Build or buy - How Sweden steers its technological sovereignty
Which technologies and industrial capabilities must Sweden control nationally? Which should be developed with Nordic and other allies, and which can be purchased internationally?
This panel examines how Sweden should balance delivery speed, cost, interoperability and long-term freedom of action. The discussion will focus on critical knowledge, design authority, production capacity and supply dependencies and where European cooperation can provide greater scale, resilience and shared capability without weakening national control.
Stefan GranlundHead of Growth & Impact SE @ Danske Bank
Building a Nordic Defence Company – Capital, Control and Personal Risk
Entering defence changes more than a company’s customer base. It affects how the company is financed, governed and protected. It can also increase the personal exposure of founders and employees.
This panel brings together perspectives from across the Nordic defence ecosystem: a founder, a bank, an investor and a risk-management specialist. They will discuss what changes when a company enters defence and how founders should prepare financially, operationally and personally for growth across Nordic and international markets.
Jens Holpzafel Director of Public Affairs & Policy @ Nordic Air Defense
Crossing defense's valley of death
A successful test does not automatically lead to operational deployment. Technologies can remain stuck between demonstration, procurement and scale because mandates, budgets and responsibilities are divided between different organisations.
This panel examines who has the authority to turn a successful test into a first order—and then a second. Starting with the Swedish decision chain, the discussion will explore what Sweden can learn from European cooperation, coordinated demand and shared routes to testing, adoption and scale.
Viktor EliassonCEO @ Diadrom Holding
CEO of Diadrom, a listed independent Swedish software company specialising in diagnostics, embedded systems and lifecycle governance for mission-critical platforms. Focuses on how innovation-driven SMEs add specialist depth to the programmes primes and government customers deliver. Nothing works until everything works.
Procurement at Speed – Building Nordic Defence Capability
How can the Nordic countries procure commercial, industrial and dual-use technologies faster while strengthening security of supply and retaining long-term control?
The panel examines how common requirements, coordinated demand, supply-chain visibility and earlier supplier involvement can reduce cost and delivery time. Representatives from digital services, software integration, critical components and platform manufacturing will discuss how the Nordics can use proven commercial technologies and create stronger routes for new suppliers into defence.
Karin NygrenDirector of Innovation at The Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)
Crossing defense's valley of death
A successful test does not automatically lead to operational deployment. Technologies can remain stuck between demonstration, procurement and scale because mandates, budgets and responsibilities are divided between different organisations.
This panel examines who has the authority to turn a successful test into a first order—and then a second. Starting with the Swedish decision chain, the discussion will explore what Sweden can learn from European cooperation, coordinated demand and shared routes to testing, adoption and scale.
Joakim WallinHead of Programs, Defence and Space GKN Aerospace
Build or buy - How Sweden steers its technological sovereignty
Which technologies and industrial capabilities must Sweden control nationally? Which should be developed with Nordic and other allies, and which can be purchased internationally?
This panel examines how Sweden should balance delivery speed, cost, interoperability and long-term freedom of action. The discussion will focus on critical knowledge, design authority, production capacity and supply dependencies and where European cooperation can provide greater scale, resilience and shared capability without weakening national control.
David WallénCEO and co-founder of Intric
Crossing defense's valley of death
A successful test does not automatically lead to operational deployment. Technologies can remain stuck between demonstration, procurement and scale because mandates, budgets and responsibilities are divided between different organisations.
This panel examines who has the authority to turn a successful test into a first order—and then a second. Starting with the Swedish decision chain, the discussion will explore what Sweden can learn from European cooperation, coordinated demand and shared routes to testing, adoption and scale.
Niclas JohnsonHead of Defence Vehicle Development at Volvo Group Trucks Technology & Industrial Division
Build or buy - How Sweden steers its technological sovereignty
Which technologies and industrial capabilities must Sweden control nationally? Which should be developed with Nordic and other allies, and which can be purchased internationally?
This panel examines how Sweden should balance delivery speed, cost, interoperability and long-term freedom of action. The discussion will focus on critical knowledge, design authority, production capacity and supply dependencies and where European cooperation can provide greater scale, resilience and shared capability without weakening national control.
Fredrik HägglundSenior Vice President, Safety & Transport at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
Build or buy - How Sweden steers its technological sovereignty
Which technologies and industrial capabilities must Sweden control nationally? Which should be developed with Nordic and other allies, and which can be purchased internationally?
This panel examines how Sweden should balance delivery speed, cost, interoperability and long-term freedom of action. The discussion will focus on critical knowledge, design authority, production capacity and supply dependencies and where European cooperation can provide greater scale, resilience and shared capability without weakening national control.
Ticket price
The ticket price is SEK 1,600 excluding VAT and includes:
- The full stage programme
- Facilitated roundtable discussions
- Networking
- Lunch
- Fika and coffee throughout the day
Venue: Näst
Orbit will take place at Näst, a new meeting place for innovation, business and collaboration in Gothenburg, located in Volvo’s former headquarters.
It is a fitting setting for a day focused on turning complex challenges into practical progress. Full arrival details and information about the venue will be shared with confirmed participants ahead of the event.
Cancellations and transfers
Tickets are non-refundable
If you can no longer attend, you may request to transfer your ticket to another person. As Orbit is a curated event, the proposed participant must go through the same review process as all applicants. Transfers are therefore subject to approval and cannot be guaranteed. Please contact us before making any arrangements.
