NATO’s Startup Strategy to Outmaneuver Rivals
▼ Summary
– NATO launched DIANA in 2023 to fund and accelerate defense innovations by collaborating with startups, universities, and governments across 200+ sites.
– Jyoti Hirani-Driver, DIANA’s COO, focuses on dual-use technologies that benefit both military and civilian sectors across NATO’s 32 member nations.
– DIANA helps startups overcome defense market barriers by providing funding, mentorship, and access to test centers like Estonia’s CR14 cyber range.
– The program supports startups in areas like cybersecurity, sensing, and logistics, with successful applicants receiving €100,000 and NATO validation.
– Hirani-Driver emphasizes the need for innovation from startups and SMEs to outpace adversaries and enhance NATO’s warfighting capabilities.
The battlefield of tomorrow demands cutting-edge solutions today, and NATO is tapping into startup innovation to maintain its strategic edge. As warfare evolves with drones, AI, and cyber threats reshaping conflict, the alliance has launched DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) to fast-track dual-use technologies that serve both military and civilian needs.
Leading this initiative is Jyoti Hirani-Driver, a former British counter-terrorism advisor now serving as DIANA’s Chief Operating Officer. Her mission? To bridge the gap between startups and NATO’s defense needs, ensuring breakthroughs reach the field before adversaries can counter them.
“We need to outpace our rivals by embedding innovation into defense at every level,” Hirani-Driver emphasizes. Unlike traditional defense procurement, which often moves slowly, DIANA connects startups with NATO’s vast network of accelerators, test centers, and military end-users. The goal is to cut through bureaucracy and deliver game-changing tech faster.
Breaking Down Barriers for Defense Tech Startups
Historically, defense contracts favored large corporations with lengthy procurement cycles, leaving little room for agile startups. Hirani-Driver’s experience in the UK’s Ministry of Defence taught her that speed and adaptability are critical. During her tenure, she secured over €1.3 billion in R&D funding for emerging technologies like AI, hypersonics, and autonomous systems.
DIANA’s approach focuses on dual-use innovations—technologies with civilian applications that can also enhance military capabilities. This strategy widens the talent pool, accelerates adoption, and ensures commercial viability. “Many startups don’t realize their civilian tech could revolutionize defense,” Hirani-Driver notes.
From Concept to Combat-Ready Solutions
Startups accepted into DIANA’s program receive €100,000, but the real value lies in access to NATO’s ecosystem. They gain mentorship, testing facilities like Estonia’s CR14 cyber range, and direct feedback from military end-users. British cybersecurity firm Goldilock, for example, validated its network isolation system—a critical tool for protecting infrastructure—through DIANA’s testing framework.
Other standout participants include:
- Astrolight (Lithuania): Secure laser communications for defense and telecom.
- Revobeam (Poland): Intelligent antennas for drones in harsh environments.
- Lobster Robotics (Netherlands): Autonomous underwater vehicles for naval surveillance.
Hirani-Driver’s vision extends beyond funding. “Success means keeping these startups in NATO’s ecosystem, scaling their tech, and deploying it where it matters most,” she says. With new challenges launching this summer, DIANA aims to expand into additional focus areas, ensuring NATO remains at the forefront of defense innovation.
“Big contractors play a role, but we need fresh ideas and agility,” she adds. For NATO, startups aren’t just an option—they’re a necessity in the race to secure tomorrow’s battlefield.
(Source: The Next Web)
