NATO invites emerging businesses to develop solutions for various challenges that exist in science-intensive technology sectors in order to become eligible for funding from Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and for the development of dual-use innovations, as reported by Latvian Ministry of Defence representative Vita Briže.
The objective of this programme is to promote the development of businesses manufacturing dual-use technologies in NATO member states, improve cooperation between innovators, researchers and end consumers.
The representative of the ministry explains as part of the programme, campaigns have been announced to address challenges in the areas of energy resilience, secure information exchange, as well as reception and observation.
Businesses are invited to register for the programme at www.nato-diana.org and submit their solutions to the listed challenges by the 29th of August to participate in the first stage of the pilot programme.
It is planned for the first stage to last six months.
During this period of time 30 participants will be eligible to receive funding of EUR 100 000 and access to five accelerator network to use for the development of dual-use innovations and help the alliance overcome challenges.
The second stage of the programme will last half a year as well, but the available funding volume will reach EUR 300 000.
Briže says businesses that want to participate have to be registered in a NATO member state in order to be allowed to participate.
Businesses also have to work in dual-use science-intensive technologies sector and be prepared to develop technologies from technology readiness level 4 onward.
Businesses that will be picked for NATO DIANA accelerator programme in 2023 will have access to five accelerators in Europe and North America, more than 90 testing centres, science, engineering sciences, industrial, end user and procurement expert mentor network.
NATO DIANA invites investors to participate as well, so that it is possible to reduce investment risks for emerging businesses that decide to participate in acceleration programmes, as well as industry representatives to act as mentors.
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