MindChip

Last week, TalTech - Tallinna Tehnikaülikool hosted the international EstMil.Tech conference, focusing on the role of AI in the modern battlefield.

As part of the conference, the EstMil.Tech Pitch Battle brought together 6 strong dual-use and defence-oriented startups, showcasing technologies shaping the future of defence innovation.

🏆 Winner: MindChip

MindChip is developing a self-adaptive, AI-powered “captain” for autonomous vessel control, enabling safer and smarter maritime operations across defence and dual-use applications. We are proud and honoured that the jury selected MindChip as the winner among such a strong lineup.

Pitching teams at a glance:
🎯 GaltTec – Lightweight fuel-cell power sources enabling drones to fly up to 5× longer; NATO DIANA-validated
🎯 Metamobilis OÜ – Dynamic live-feedback shooting training system, speeding up training by up to 5×
🎯 Next Gen Digital State Research Group (TalTech) – AI-enabled resilience modelling for national continuity and crisis preparedness
🎯 ThinkScan – Autonomous Edge AI turning “dark” edge data into real-time intelligence with major cost and power savings
🎯 Thistle OÜ – Thistle Shield, a man-portable autonomous turret for FPV-drone defence

A big thank you to all pitching teams, judges, organisers, and partners for pushing defence innovation forward. 🚀

📸 Photos: Erik Peinar

The MindChip and LarsenB team is at the Tallinn Defence Week Expo!
If you’re interested in autonomous control systems, robotic vessels, and defence technology, come find us – we’re at booth F11 in the Kultuurikatel courtyard until tomorrow evening.

Check out our dual-use maritime drone MC6000-MIL:
👉 https://mindchip.ee/mc600-mil/

Yesterday, MindChip had the valuable opportunity to share our developments and projects with Kongsberg Gruppen – a company globally recognized for its innovative and reliable solutions in the maritime, energy, defense, and aerospace industries.
These kinds of dialogues highlight how rapidly the field of autonomous vessels is evolving, and how collaboration with strong partners makes it possible to achieve greater goals.

Many thanks to Tom Gulbrandsen, Anne Lande, Karl Kristian, Ryte Venckuviene, Piia Mathisen, Merike Kaesveld and everyone else for making this meeting possible.