NATO’s innovation accelerator becomes operational and launches first challenges

“This is a big moment for DIANA and for NATO”, said Professor Deeph Chana, DIANA’s Managing Director. “Identifying, developing and deploying dual-use technologies are going to be crucial as we tackle the many challenges we face. Participants in DIANA’s unique programme will get significant early-stage funding, commercial advice and the opportunity to test their ideas at some of the world’s leading facilities.”

DIANA expects to work with around 30 start-ups this year. They will be awarded 100,000 euros each in the form of a non-dilutive grant, with the opportunity to get up to 300,000 euros later in DIANA’s accelerator programme. DIANA has a regional office in the United Kingdom, another planned in Canada, and a hub will open in Estonia. It also has a network of around 100 accelerator sites and test centres in innovation clusters across the Alliance.

DIANA is complemented by the NATO Innovation Fund, the world’s first multi-sovereign venture capital fund, which will invest 1 billion euros in start-ups developing technologies for defence and security.

Visit the DIANA website for more information, or to apply for DIANA’s challenge call.