NATO DIANA

Applications for the NATO DIANA are currently closed!

NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) invites innovative startups from across NATO to apply and bring their groundbreaking solutions to the forefront of defence and security.

About NATO DIANA Accelerator 

The DIANA accelerator aims to support deep tech startups contributing to national security and defence by connecting talented innovators with end-users of new technologies. The accelerator allows startups from both Estonia and other NATO member states to develop their products and business models and find partners in the alliance-wide defence market, which is typically closed and has high entry barriers. DIANA provides funding, accelerator programming, mentorship, testing facilities, and access to trusted investor and end-user networks to help companies move from ideation to real-world adoption in both defence and civilian markets.   

Benefits for Startups 

• Grants and Funding: All companies admitted to the accelerator receive a grant of €100,000, with the best ones eligible for an additional €300,000 in funding. 

• High-Quality Training: A comprehensive 6-month training program. 

• Access to Test Centres: Access to over 180 test centres. 

• Networking Opportunities: A program bridging defence and business sectors and a network of top mentors across the Alliance. 

• Support and Development: DIANA builds a bridge between universities, businesses, and the public sector, aiming to support the development of innovative technologies that address both civilian and defence sector challenges, leading towards a more sustainable and secure world. 

Managed by Tehnopol 

The accelerator in Estonia is led by the Tehnopol Startup Incubator together with the Sparkup Tartu Science Park and the business accelerator Startup Wise Guys. The funding to start the accelerator in Estonia comes from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, and the city of Tallinn. Estonian contributors to building the pan-Alliance network of testing centres include TalTech, the University of Tartu, Foundation CR14, the National Defence College, the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, and the Estonian Aviation Academy. 

Call for Applications 

Applications are welcomed from startups across NATO with novel ideas to help solve critical defence and security problems. If you’re working on cutting-edge solutions in these areas, we want to hear from you. 

2024 DIANA Challenge Topics 

For its second year, DIANA invites innovators to submit proposals in five challenge areas: 

1. Energy & Power: Enhancing energy and power resilience in the context of generation, storage, distribution, recovery, harvesting, and propulsion across various domains. 
2. Data & Information Security: Facilitating data production, utilization, distribution, and protection in multi-domain environments, including space. 
3. Sensing & Surveillance: Expanding on the success of the 2023 challenge to include all domains (land, sea, air, space, and cyber). 
4. Human Health & Performance: Improving the understanding and enhancement of human health and wellbeing, both physical and psychological, in various operational contexts including space. 
5. Critical Infrastructure & Logistics: Focusing on the secure and trustworthy operation of critical national and international infrastructure, and global supply chains across various domains. 

Cross-Cutting Themes 

• Space: Representing a vast and largely unexplored frontier with immense potential for scientific discovery and technological innovation. 

• Resilience: Emphasizing the need for solutions and technologies that can withstand and quickly recover from disruptions or threats. 

• Sustainability: Highlighting the importance of developing and implementing environmentally friendly, energy-efficient technologies and practices that ensure long-term viability. 

Selection Process 

• Straightforward Application: The selection process enables applicants to describe their proposed technology solution and its relevance to the challenge in a brief application package. 

• Application Package: Comprising a single-page ‘quad chart’ and a four-page proposal, using templates. Applications are required to be submitted in English. 

• Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be assessed on their transformational nature, potential for high impact, uniqueness, technological feasibility, dual-use relevance, commercial viability, and potential defence and security applications. 

• Application Timeline: The application window will be announced at a later date.

Pilot Challenge Success 

In its pilot challenge call in 2023, DIANA received over 1300 applications from innovators across the Alliance. 44 companies were accepted and and 9 of them selected for the DIANA Estonian Accelerator. While last year sought innovative technological solutions for three challenges, this time, there are 5 challenges, and a larger number of companies will be accepted. If your company didn’t make it into the accelerator last year, it is definitely worth trying again this time.

Watch the stream of DIANA’s Launch Event last year in Estonia here. 

Get to know the companies of the first batch of NATO DIANA Estonian Accelerator here. 

Find out more and apply: NATO DIANA.

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