Nato and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) are inviting submissions from start-ups and SMEs to enhance critical infrastructure security.
- This call for innovation follows a recently concluded Nato summit marking its 75th anniversary amidst growing global security concerns.
- The initiative is part of Nato’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (Diana), focusing on dual-use technology solutions.
- Applicants will address challenges in energy, information security, and infrastructure resilience, with a submission deadline of 9 August.
- Successful innovators will join a boot-camp programme designed to facilitate real-world adoption of their innovations.
In an effort to bolster the security of critical systems, Nato and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) are seeking innovative proposals from start-ups and small to medium enterprises (SMEs). The initiative aligns with Nato’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (Diana), aiming to enhance energy security and fortify critical infrastructure.
The call to action comes in the wake of Nato’s 75th-anniversary summit in Washington D.C., highlighted by the pressing global security environment described as “the most dangerous” since the Cold War. Recent Russian incursions on civilian energy networks and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power facility have underscored the urgency of this initiative.
Diana is dedicated to connecting start-ups with end-users, scientists, and system integrators to advance dual-use technological solutions. The programme received over 1,300 applications across the Nato alliance in its debut year, selecting 44 innovators from 19 countries for its initial cohort in 2023.
In 2024, Nato has outlined five critical challenge areas for proposal submissions: energy and power, data and information security, sensing and surveillance, human health and performance, and infrastructure logistics. Proposals must focus on enhancing energy resilience, secure operations of infrastructure, and global supply chain trustworthiness.
Innovators will benefit from funding, mentorship, and access to investor networks, facilitating their transition from concept to practical application in both defence and civilian sectors by January 2025.
John Ridge, MoD’s innovation director, expressed strong support for Diana’s new challenge areas, anticipating the programme’s continued success and its impact on allied defence capabilities.
Nato and the UK MoD’s initiative underscores the growing importance of innovative solutions to address modern security challenges.
