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About DIANA

DIANA calls dual-use tech start-ups to join its pilot challenge call, June 2023

What DIANA offers

DIANA leverages its accelerator 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:

• funding to support technology development and demonstration, and participation in the DIANA accelerator programme.
• 23 accelerators across the Alliance
• 182 test centres across the Alliance where entrepreneurs can de-risk, demonstrate and validate their proposed dual-use technological solutions
• mentoring from scientists, engineers, industry partners, end users, and government procurement experts
• an investor network associated with the Allied Capital Community for trusted third-party funding
• opportunities to demonstrate technology in operational environments
• pathways to market within the NATO enterprise and 32 Allied markets

DIANA announces the first companies to join its accelerator programme, November 2023

Emerging and Disruptive Technologies

Emerging and disruptive technologies are changing the way the Alliance operates in times of peace, crisis, and conflict. To sharpen NATO’s technological edge, Allied nations are working together with the private sector to adopt and integrate new technologies and shape standards.

Among other technology areas, DIANA will focus on big data, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomy, quantum, biotechnologies and human enhancement, energy and propulsion, novel materials and advanced manufacturing and aerospace – specifically where they are dual-use (civilian and defence) and deep tech in nature, and where they can be used to solve challenging defence and security problems.

Governance

All NATO nations are members of DIANA. The DIANA Board of Directors is responsible for governance – and comprises representatives from every Allied country.

Managing Director

Professor Deeph Chana is DIANA’s first Managing Director. He brings extensive experience of leading innovative science and technology research and development in academia, industry and government, focusing on global risks and next-generation infrastructure security. He was previously at Imperial College London, where he was Director of the Institute for Security Science and Technology and Co-Director of the Centre for Financial Technology within Imperial College Business School.

Professor Deeph Chana

Prof Chana has consulted and lectured worldwide on the nature and implications of disruptive and emerging technologies, and has several decades of experience in technology entrepreneurship, covering a wide range of applications spanning quantum cascade laser detectors to materials science. He was also Chair of NATO's Advisory Group on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs) and is currently a high-level science advisor to the UK’s Ministry of Defence.

Team

DIANA’s Managing Director is supported by an interdisciplinary team of civilian and military experts from NATO countries. DIANA’s staff will grow steadily until it reaches full operating capability in 2025.

Locations

DIANA leverages a network of more than 20 affiliated accelerator sites and over 180 test centres. DIANA has a regional office in London (UK), and will soon be opening a regional office in Halifax (Canada) and a regional hub in Tallinn (Estonia).