Five innovative startups join NATO's DIANA accelerator in Eindhoven
With an initial €100,000 funding the accelerator program helps startups with a defense and commercial focus grow.
Published on December 12, 2024
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In January 2025, five pioneering companies—Eduworks (USA), Starnav (France), Akheros Sas (France), SecuBlox GmbH (Germany), and Biosistemika (Slovenia)—will join the NATO DIANA accelerator program in Eindhoven. Each company has received an initial funding of €100,000, with the potential for an additional €300,000 based on their progress. These startups focus on developing dual-use technologies that cater to commercial and defense markets, covering cybersecurity, navigation, and laboratory software.
The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) represents NATO's commitment to staying ahead in technological innovation. The program emerged from a rigorous selection process that evaluated over 2600 applications, demonstrating the intense competition and high standards required for participation. Each selected company receives €100,000 in initial funding, with the potential to secure an additional €300,000 upon successful completion of the first phase.
Eindhoven is home to one of the 20 accelerator sites of the DIANA program. Located on the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) campus, the province of North Brabant is seen as one of the strategic areas of Europe, with a recognized knowledge position in the field of multiple key enabling technologies.
Meet the innovative companies
The selected companies bring diverse expertise to Eindhoven. Akheros Sas from France specializes in cybersecurity, developing sophisticated Bayesian networks that learn and anticipate machine behaviors to prevent cyber threats. Their French counterpart, Starnav, excels in geometric data extraction through image processing, mainly focusing on astral navigation and weapon setting systems. Biosistemika, hailing from Slovenia, brings expertise in laboratory software development, focusing on medical devices and process automation. The program also welcomes SecuBlox GmbH from Germany, which is working on simplifying and enabling blockchain infrastructure. Eduworks from the USA is a data management company that manages diverse data in complex organizations and environments.
Ministry of Defense invests 100 million euros in fund to increase innovation power of Dutch startups
Defense, the provinces, Economic Affairs, regional development corporations and industry are joining forces for national security, innovation power and economic growth.
Regional impact and support structure
The initiative benefits from strong regional support in Brainport Eindhoven and collaboration from key organizations, including the Dutch Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, and Brainport Development. As Mariëlle van Bijsterveld from the Brabant Development Agency (BOM) notes, there's significant enthusiasm about guiding these startups in their dual-use development.
The program is set to commence on January 13, 2025. The selected companies will receive not only financial support but also access to testing facilities and NATO guidance . This comprehensive support structure aims to accelerate the development and deployment of crucial technological solutions that contribute to both commercial success and enhanced defense capabilities.