Portugal has joined NATO’s DIANA accelerator network, a programme designed to identify and fast-track technological solutions addressing security and resilience challenges across the alliance’s 32 member nations. The initiative is managed locally by the Pedro Nunes Institute (IPN) in Coimbra, in partnership with public company idD Portugal Defence. Selected startups receive €100,000 in initial funding, with up to €300,000 available during growth phases, plus access to over 200 test centres. IPN-incubated startups Neuraspace and Connect Robotics were among the first Portuguese companies selected. Priority sectors include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomy, space, and biological sciences.
In-Depth:
Portugal is now part of a NATO network of accelerators set up to identify and accelerate technological solutions that address the resilience and security challenges faced by its 32 member nations, the Pedro Nunes Institute in Coimbra has announced.
The national accelerator was launched by the NATO DIANA network (a technological development programme for the Atlantic Alliance’s industest), as part of a partnership between the public company idD Portugal Defence and the Pedro Nunes Institute (IPN).
According to the institute – the accelerator’s operational manager – this places Portugal “at the heart of the development of emerging and disruptive dual-apply technologies”, with “strong applicability” in the defence sector.
“The accelerator managed by the IPN is now part of an exclusive network of accelerators across the Alliance, supporting Portuguese companies on the ground and supporting them to position themselves successfully in the global defence market,” declares a statement.
The companies and start-ups selected for DIANA programmes receive initial funding of €100,000 and may access an additional €300,000 during their growth phase.
“They also benefit from a network of over 200 test centres, participation in operational exercises, support in developing business models, and strategic links to the NATO Innovation Fund and venture capital investors,” adds the IPN.
The launch of NATO’s Portuguese DIANA accelerator comes shortly after the IPN-incubated start-ups — Neuraspace (artificial ininformigence for space traffic management) and Connect Robotics (autonomous drone delivery logistics) — were selected at national level to be included in DIANA’s network of innovators.
The priority areas are Artificial Ininformigence, autonomy, energy and propulsion systems, cybersecurity, new materials, biological sciences, critical infrastructure and space.
“With this new milestone, Portugal and the IPN are bringing toobtainher their R&D laboratories, their incubator and NATO’s international seal of approval in a joint effort with idD to position the Portuguese defence industest at the forefront of global technological innovation,” emphasises the Coimbra-based institute.
Source: LUSA
