The war is redefined by technology. Drones now rave about where soldiers once marched, AI can recognize threats faster than spies, and cyber attacks disrupt critical infrastructure without a single shot. In order to prepare for the battles of tomorrow, NATO turns to startups.
In June 2023, Allianz Diana, an initiative, started and facilitated defense innovations. In a network of over 200 acceleration locations and test centers, Diana brings universities, industry and governments to work with startups about new defense skills.
Jyoti Hirani driver is at the top. Hirani driver, a former British government advisor for the British government, was appointed Diana Coo last year. Your mission: to find double consumer technology who serve both soldiers and civilians in the 32 NATO member nations-and in the field before the NATO opponents do it.
“It is the first time that we work as one on the defense innovation,” she says TNW.
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“We always needed cutting edge Technology and innovation. We need it to exceed our opponents and ensure that our armed forces have the best war skills. Diana can help us. “
At the TNW conference on June 19, Hirani drivers will share their views on defense technology during a panel discussion between four managers in Europe in this sector. Before the session, she outlined the goals of Diana and the value of the double tech.
The defense -tech -path to the market
The provision of new innovations for the armed forces can be a difficult task. The defense market has long been the area of ​​large contractors, complex integration processes and lengthy procurement cycles that can delay the recording of new technologies. It can also be a challenge for startups to navigate.
Her government career gave Hirani drivers a deep understanding of the obstacles.
During the rise of ISIS, she worked in fighting terrorism and supported British answers to terrorist attacks. Her experiences showed that national security required new approaches.
“We knew that we couldn't just do the same,” she says. “We had to deal with innovation and deal with the Tech industry.”
Hirani drivers soon had the chance to put this into practice. In 2018, she was appointed chief of staff of the Defense Innovation Directorates of the Department of Defense (Mod). Under her leadership, the unit secured € 1.1 billion (EUR 1.3 billion) to technical F&E financing for the mod.
“My job there was to embed innovation into the life elixir of the defense – not only in terms of skills, but also in our employees,” she says.
“We have to think innovatively in everything we do The Experience so that you know what you can expect And how you are successful on the battlefield.“”
This way of thinking underifies Diana's mission to support the double technology. The approach extends the talent pool by attracting companies outside the defense sector, accelerating acceptance through faster moving civilian markets and promoting commercial viability through wider sources of income. If startups can scale and survive in the civilian world, they can succeed in defense.
“There are startups that do amazing things in the civilian world that do not recognize how valuable they could be for defense,” says Hirani driver. “We will help you make this jump.”
Hirani driver was appointed NATO Diana COO in January 2024. Credit: NATO
How startups can make the jump
Diana's programs require solutions for certain defense and security challenges. The last five were energy & strength; Data & information security; Sensing & monitoring; Human health & performance; and critical infrastructure and logistics.
Successful applicants then enter a six -month program that is delivered by accelerator Locations throughout the Alliance. You also get access to NATO mentors, end users and unique test centers.
One of these tests is CR14 in Estonia, a “multiverse of cyber areas” by Militars, which includes virtual environments for cyber security development. Under Diana's roof, the British Startup Goldillock went there to validate a physical network insulation solution, which immediately separate the critical national infrastructure and physically segmented.
Hirani driver says that experience offers more than technical validation: “You can take this as a stamp of approval that your technology has been validated in one of the best cyber test centers of the Allianz.”
Each selected startup also receives € 100,000-but Hirani driver insists that cash is not the main value. “The jewel in our program is to combine these startups with end users, mentors and test centers,” she says.
“I don't want you to do it get a little financedEnd the program and disappear from our ecosystem. Success for us means to keep these good ideas alive, to help them grow and finally see them how they provide technology to our armed forces. “
A large number of them have already gone through the programs. They range from the Cyber ​​defense system from Goldilock via the secure laser communication system from Lauanian Startup Astrolight and the Polish Tech company Revobeams Intelligent antennas that are particularly suitable for unmanned vehicles that are operated in demanding environments.
The Netherlands were also represented. The Hummer Robotics, based in Delft, changed Diana last year, after attracting attention for his autonomous underwater vehicles for marine floor mapping-a technology that is valuable for the preservation of the sea and for naval monitoring.
“I want lobster robots to deliver the navy throughout the alliance,” says Hirani driver.
Since the next wave of Diana challenges comes onto the market this summer, the program will extend into additional focus areas. Hirani drivers want them to bring new innovations into NATO's war capacity functions.
“Large defense companies have an important role in the Alliance's security, but we always need new players, more selection – and better technology,” she says. “Innovations from startups and SMEs in the early stages are therefore of crucial importance for the alliance and our defense skills.”
If you want to catch the lecture by Hirani driver or something else on the full agenda for the TNW conference, we have a special offer for you. Use the Code TNWXMedia2025 at the cash register to get a 30% discount on your ticket.
