It was July 2022 when NATO announced its programme for start-ups based on acceleration activities called DIANA. Now comes the news that the multinational organisation has chosen as its partner for Italy DualTech by Takeoff, the accelerator managed by Plug and Play in Turin . DualTech by Takeoff, thus becomes one of the affiliated accelerator sites that collaborate with NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator and whose goal is to connect technology innovators to develop advanced solutions that can protect the Alliance’s 32 nations and over a billion citizens.
The innovators were selected through a competitive process from more than 2,600 applications received in response to DIANA’s Challenges call, launched in early 2024. The selected startups develop advanced technology solutions in areas such as energy and power, sensing and surveillance, secure information sharing, health and human performance, and critical infrastructure and logistics.
Today, DualTech by Takeoff announces the protagonists of the second batch (pictured), with technologies specialising in artificial intelligence, radar and drones, explosive threat detection, robotics for extreme environments and additive manufacturing, they are: Zelim, from the UK, which has developed an innovative artificial intelligence-based solution for maritime detection, tracking and alerting. This technology is designed to detect and track maritime objects, people and targets in the water even at distances greater than 50 metres. Its applications range from the offshore energy and cruise sectors to the protection of critical infrastructure, providing enhanced security through real-time detection of potential threats and timely alerts; also in the UK, AI GPR designs a drone-mounted ground-penetrating radar system with both military and civil applications. Its technology is capable of detecting buried objects such as ordnance and archaeological structures using a multi-modal sensor system that includes radar, thermal imaging camera and Red Green Blue camera, a fundamental colour representation system in the digital world; from Croatia, InEMSens has created an AI-enhanced electromagnetic interference sensor mechanism that detects and identifies buried explosive threats such as landmines, improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance. The solution combines traditional electromagnetic induction technology with artificial intelligence algorithms to improve background noise rejection and threat identification even in challenging conditions such as low-metallic targets and mineralised terrain; in the US, Mantacus, has designed a solution for long-range detection of concealed weapons at distances of up to 50 metres or more. This technology is ideal for the protection of sensitive targets, such as educational institutions, stadiums, airports and government buildings, with dual-use capabilities in securing military bases. And then, Italy’s Fluid Wire Robotics, develops robotic arms for extreme environments, designed to remotely deploy electrical and electronic components in sealed units. They are used in the nuclear sector to manipulate radioactive materials, in space operations for satellite maintenance and debris removal, and in the underwater sector for repairs and offshore energy operations. Their fluidic transmission system guarantees light weight, versatility and high operational efficiency; and again from the UK, Forg3D, which has developed a revolutionary additive manufacturing process based on direct energy deposition, which guarantees material properties equal to or better than those of forged components, regardless of metal type or size. This technology allows deposition in any direction, facilitating fast and efficient repairs. Its applications range from defence to the space industry, offering highly versatile and high-performance solutions.
“With the entry of these seven start-ups, one of which is in stealth mode, DualTech by Takeoff continues to play a crucial role in enhancing defence and security capabilities by fostering the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. We are thrilled to support innovation that will help protect our future, with solutions ranging from artificial intelligence to space technologies, to address global challenges in an increasingly effective and secure way,” says Enrica Bonora, programme manager of DualTech by Takeoff, in a note
At DualTech by Takeoff, startups receive a funding of EUR 100,000 and participate in a six-month acceleration programme, the DIANA Bootcamp. The initiative includes workshops, and training sessions, as well as in-person events. During the Bootcamp, start-ups are paired with mentors and experts who support them in their specific needs, such as business and technology development. DIANA consists of two phases: bootcamp and grow. In the bootcamp phase, start-ups gain an in-depth understanding of the dual-use landscape and develop their technology roadmap. At the end of the bootcamp, 1-2 start-ups per challenge are selected for the grow phase, receiving an additional EUR 300,000 from NATO and six months of customised support.
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