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Home > Analysis > NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)

In the months before the recent 2023 NATO Summit in Lithuania,  the NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)  opened its European regional office at the Imperial College London Innovation Hub in London in May and launched its first three pilot challenge programs.  This operational “standup” was all in a timeline of less than a year since the NATO Foreign Ministers endorsed the charter for DIANA in April 2022 – which outlines its mission and strategy; legal authorities; financial mechanism; governance; and the regional offices, accelerator sites and test centres that will make up its initial footprint.
 

Background

“What policy statements and commitments to cooperation has the North American Treaty Organization, also known as NATO, made about the future of emerging and disruptive technologies?” (Generated by OpenAI’s ChatGPT) 

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, NATO has taken several policy statements and commitments to address the future of emerging and disruptive technologies. While the specific developments beyond that date are not included in my training data, here are some key policy aspects and commitments that NATO has made:

  1. Adapting to Emerging Technologies: NATO recognizes the growing impact of emerging and disruptive technologies on defense and security. The alliance emphasizes the need to adapt its capabilities and strategies to effectively address the challenges and opportunities presented by these technologies.

  2. Responsible Use of Technologies: NATO underscores the importance of using emerging technologies in a responsible manner, with respect for international law, human rights, and ethical principles. The alliance seeks to avoid any use of emerging technologies that may have harmful consequences or violate international norms.

  3. Understanding and Monitoring Threats: NATO acknowledges the significance of understanding and monitoring the potential threats posed by emerging technologies. The alliance works to enhance its intelligence capabilities to stay informed about technological developments and their implications for security.

  4. Cooperation and Information Sharing: NATO emphasizes the value of cooperation and information sharing among its member states and partners regarding emerging technologies. Collaborative efforts enable the alliance to build a comprehensive understanding of technological developments and facilitate the exchange of best practices.

  5. Innovation and Research & Development: NATO recognizes the importance of fostering innovation and investing in research and development to keep pace with emerging technologies. The alliance encourages research and collaboration with academia, industry, and other stakeholders to enhance technological capabilities.

  6. Cybersecurity and Resilience: Given the digital nature of many emerging technologies, NATO places significant emphasis on enhancing cybersecurity and resilience. The alliance works to bolster its cybersecurity capabilities and protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

  7. Training and Education: NATO underscores the need for education and training to enhance the technical literacy of its personnel in emerging technologies. Training programs enable NATO forces to effectively use and adapt to new technologies.

  8. Engagement with Industry and Private Sector: NATO seeks to engage with the private sector and industry leaders to foster partnerships and leverage cutting-edge technologies. Collaborations with the private sector can lead to innovative solutions for defense and security challenges.

It’s important to note that emerging technologies evolve rapidly, and NATO’s policies and commitments are likely to continue evolving to address the dynamic landscape of technological advancements and potential security implications. For the most up-to-date information on NATO’s policy statements and commitments regarding emerging and disruptive technologies, I recommend checking official NATO sources, publications, and policy documents issued after September 2021.

Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)

The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) is a NATO body working with leading researchers and entrepreneurs across the Alliance, helping them develop technologies to keep NATO populations safe and secure. With dozens of accelerator sites and test centres across the Alliance, DIANA brings together universities, industry and governments to work with start-ups and other innovators to solve critical defence and security challenges.  

  • At the 2021 NATO Summit in Brussels, Allied Leaders agreed to launch DIANA to foster transatlantic cooperation on critical technologies, promote interoperability among Allied forces and harness civilian innovation by engaging with academia and the private sector.
  • A year later, at the 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid, all Allied Leaders endorsed the charter for DIANA and unveiled its initial footprint of test centres and accelerator sites.
  • DIANA exists to harness the opportunities presented by emerging and disruptive technologies, boosting NATO’s competitive edge in collective defence and security. Developing new capabilities will improve the Alliance’s ability to respond to conventional threats – and to the threats posed via these technologies themselves.
  • Specific technological areas of interest to DIANA include artificial intelligence (AI), autonomy, quantum technologies, biotechnologies and human enhancement, hypersonic systems, space, novel materials and manufacturing, energy and propulsion, and next-generation communications networks.
  • DIANA has a regional office in London, United Kingdom. Another regional office is being set up in Halifax, Canada, and a regional hub will soon open in Tallinn, Estonia. In addition, DIANA leverages a network of more than 10 accelerator sites and 90 test centres across the Alliance.

How NATO DIANA Works 

DIANA works by running competitive industry challenges. Each challenge is based on a critical defence and security problem, and asks innovators to develop deep tech dual-use technologies (i.e., technologies that are focused on commercial markets and uses, but may also have defence and security applications) to help solve it.

Innovators selected into DIANA’s programmes receive non-dilutive grants (i.e. investment capital that does not require them to give up equity or ownership in their company) and gain access to accelerator sites and test centres across the Alliance. DIANA’s accelerator sites are based at facilities or organisations that have been selected by Allies to implement the unique DIANA dual-use (commercial/defence and security) acceleration curricula. DIANA’s test centres are laboratories, testbeds or field environments that are available for testing, evaluation, validation and verification of technologies developed by innovators selected into DIANA’s challenge programmes. Accelerator sites and test centres are based in existing universities and research centres in Europe and North America, which have applied to join DIANA through their national Ministries of Defence.

Innovators also have access to a network of mentors (scientists, engineers, industry experts, end-users and government procurement experts) and a community of trusted investors. Lastly, DIANA offers pathways to market both within NATO as an organization and with NATO Allies, connecting innovators with Allied military and governmental end-users who will work with the selected companies to help them adapt their solutions to Allied military needs.

Technologies developed through DIANA may also receive funding from the NATO Innovation Fund, a EUR 1 billion venture capital fund established by a group of NATO Allies at the 2022 Madrid Summit. The world’s first multi-sovereign venture capital fund, it will invest its funding over a 15-year period in start-ups developing or adapting technologies for defence and security. The Fund will prioritise investments in companies accelerated through DIANA that are headquartered in any of the countries participating in the Fund (which currently includes 23 NATO Allies: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Türkiye and the United Kingdom).

DIANA launched its first three pilot challenge programmes in 2023. Once fully operational in 2025, DIANA will have the capacity to work with hundreds of innovators each year across an even wider network of accelerator sites and test centres throughout the Alliance.

DIANA’s Board of Directors, which held its first meeting in October 2022, is responsible for the organisational governance of DIANA. It is led by a Board Chair and is composed of one representative from each NATO member country. DIANA operates under a North Atlantic Council-approved charter and reports to the Council on its activities. 

Evolution

June 2021
At the 2021 Brussels Summit, as part of the NATO 2030 agenda, NATO Heads of State and Government agree to launch DIANA to foster transatlantic cooperation on critical technologies, promote interoperability among Allied forces and harness civilian innovation by engaging with academia and the private sector.

April 2022
NATO Foreign Ministers endorse the charter for DIANA, which outlines its mission and strategy; legal authorities; financial mechanism; governance; and the regional offices, accelerator sites and test centres that will make up its initial footprint.

April 2022
The NATO Advisory Group on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (an independent group of 12 experts from the private sector and academia, which provides external advice to NATO on how it can optimise its innovation efforts) delivers its second annual report, for 2021. The report examines the progress made on setting up DIANA and describes how it and other initiatives are signs of real action towards technological readiness at NATO.

June 2022
At the 2022 Madrid Summit, all NATO Leaders endorse the charter for DIANA and unveil its initial footprint of test centres and accelerator sites.

March 2023
DIANA opens its European regional office at the Imperial College London Innovation Hub in London, United Kingdom.

June 2023
DIANA launches its first three pilot challenge programmes, inviting innovators to apply to its programmes. (1)

What DIANA offers

DIANA leverages its acceleration programme and test centre network to bring start-ups together with operational end users, scientists, and systems integrators to advance compelling deep tech with dual-use solutions for the Alliance.

Companies accepted into the DIANA accelerator programme gain access to:

  • grants to support technology development and demonstration, and participation in the DIANA accelerator programme.
  • 10+ accelerators across the Alliance, with more planned over the coming years
  • 90+ test centres (with more planned) across the Alliance where entrepreneurs can de-risk, and demonstrate and validate their proposed dual-use technological solutions
  • mentoring from scientists, engineers, industry partners, end users, and government procurement experts
  • an investor network for trusted third-party funding
  • opportunities to demonstrate technology in operational environments
  • pathways to market within the NATO enterprise and 31 Allied markets (2)

The NATO Innovation Fund

  • The NATO Innovation Fund aims to address the significant underfunding of the market for deep tech innovation. 
  • Verticals include artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, energy & propulsion, manufacturing and space technologies.
  • The fund aims to adapt its investment strategy accordingly, aligning with emerging trends and breakthrough developments.

The NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) has been established to propel the Alliance’s unique innovation ecosystems forward, investing a total of  €1 billion in deep tech initiatives aimed at ensuring the security and prosperity of its 1 billion citizens. Recognizing the world-leading talent and research capabilities within the Allied nations’ Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, the NIF aims to address the significant underfunding of the market for deep tech innovation.

Through the NIF, the funds will serve as a commercialization machine, supporting both private and public sectors in advancing cutting-edge technologies and securing the future of the Alliance’s citizens. The fund functions as an independent venture capital entity with a dedicated budget of €1 billion, providing vital backing to innovative founders developing emerging and disruptive technologies.

The NIF has identified several high-impact verticals that align with its mission to foster innovation and shape the future. These include artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, energy & propulsion, manufacturing and space technologies. The fund’s interests lie in promoting advancements in autonomy, hypersonics, new materials, and quantum technologies, with a strong emphasis on bolstering both hardware and software capabilities.

Embracing the rapid pace of innovation in today’s world, the NIF has centered its focus on NATO’s Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs). As the innovation landscape continues to evolve, the fund aims to adapt its investment strategy accordingly, aligning with emerging trends and breakthrough developments.

The NIF marks a significant step forward for the Alliance’s commitment to fostering technological progress and strengthening its position in the global innovation ecosystem. By addressing the underfunding challenges in deep tech, the fund aims to unlock the immense potential of Allied talent and research capabilities, creating a foundation for sustainable growth and long-term success.

What Next?  

NATO’s New Tech Accelerator Is Looking For Its First Group Of Startups

  • NATO’s tech accelerator [went live in June] with its first callout for startups with technologies in energy supply resilience, sensing and surveillance, and secure information sharing that can be used by the military and commercially. 
  • The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, or DIANA, initiative will get several million euros in funding for this year and an estimated €50 million—$54.7 million—for future years, with the goal of increasing funding over time.
  • “We will be writing grants of €100,000 for the first six months during the acceleration program and then up to €300,000 for the following six months if you get through, successfully, the first, the first phase,” said Deeph Chana, the managing director of DIANA, adding that DIANA doesn’t take an equity or intellectual property stake in the companies it funds.
  • The program will also work with the NATO Innovation Fund, a multi-nation venture capital fund launched last year.
  • Besides seed funding, DIANA offers companies “a dual-use accelerator program” that teams them with 11 deep tech acceleration sites in the NATO alliance, and gives them access to more than 90 test centers, as well as contacts from government entities and academia. To be considered, companies must be incorporated in a NATO country.
  • “We are very explicitly encouraging startups to have applications in the more traditional tactical military domain, as well as, shall we say, in a sort of civil space such that they have a diverse opportunity for revenue, which we think builds more resilient, more investable companies in this space,” Chana said. “And of course, North America is a massive part of this equation. And in this phase, we will have accelerator sites in Seattle and Boston taking part in the pilot, and a regional office locally in Canada.”
  • Also, to mitigate concerns of adversarial capital investments, DIANA will advise “startups from the outset to think very carefully about their current positions in terms of their investment makeup, how they might pivot away from that, if it’s something that looks like it represents a risk to the growth of the company,” Chana said. “As you go through the DIANA program, we’re going to be building in competence with the founders. So it’s effectively a curriculum as well as a networking opportunity.” (3)

DIANA’s Pilot Challenges

The DIANA challenge programme starts with a competitive call for proposals targeting three strategic focus areas: energy resilience, secure information sharing, and sensing and surveillance. Derived from defence and security needs across the Alliance, informed by the state-of-development of commercial technologies, and designed for deep tech innovators – our programme seeks your help in solving critical dual-use (civilian and defence) challenges.

Innovators who are accepted into our challenge will receive grant funding to support their technology development and demonstration, participate in a customised commercial and defence-focused accelerator programme, gain access to test and evaluation resources across the Alliance, and benefit from curated exposure to investors and end users to support technology transition and adoption.

For a direct link to the DIANA Challenges page, go to https://www.diana.nato.int/challenges.html 

https://oodaloop.com/archive/2023/07/18/does-nato-need-its-own-cyber-command/

https://oodaloop.com/archive/2023/04/27/in-the-ai-driven-conflict-in-ukraine-is-the-swarm-the-systems-design-architecture-of-the-future/

https://oodaloop.com/archive/2023/02/21/ooda-almanac-2023-useful-observations-for-contemplating-the-future/

The OODA C-Suite Report: Operational Intelligence for Business Leaders

Daniel Pereira

About the Author

Daniel Pereira

Daniel Pereira is research director at OODA. He is a foresight strategist, creative technologist, and an information communication technology (ICT) and digital media researcher with 20+ years of experience directing public/private partnerships and strategic innovation initiatives.

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