First class of startups selected by NATO innovation accelerator for support

Forty-four companies make up the first class of startups to get help from NATO’s innovation accelerator, DIANA. Launched in 2021, DIANA resembles the Defense Innovation Unit and other U.S. government efforts to support startup players working on technology with dual military and civilian applications. The companies don’t produce weapons but focus on technologies to help troops, such as McGuire Aero Propulsion Solutions and Grayscale AI. DIANA will give each of these startups 100,000 euros and connect them with mentors and testing and evaluation centers. A smaller number will then receive an additional 300,000 euros for product development. The hope is that this process will increase the appeal of the technologies to a broader class of commercial investors. Access to testing and evaluation centers will provide hands-on feedback from multi-national military members to make the products more useful. Chana highlighted energy and communications as areas in which NATO-funded startups could revolutionize both military and commercial markets.