Last week in Paris, NATO DIANA’s International Demo Days 2026 gathered 850 innovators, investors, military end users, government representatives and industry leaders from across the Alliance for two days of demonstrations, networking and collaboration.
Held alongside Eurosatory, one of the world’s leading defence and security exhibitions, the event marked an important milestone for DIANA’s 2026 Accelerator Programme cohort, providing space to come together around shared security challenges and emerging technological solutions.
Opening event
The International Demo Days opened with an informal reception at La Felicita, giving attendees the chance to re-connect ahead of a full day of demonstrations and discussion.
In her opening remarks, Acting Managing Director Jyoti Hirani-Driver emphasised the need to accelerate the development and adoption of defence and security technologies in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. She encouraged attendees to go beyond discussion and focus on identifying practical next steps for collaboration and adoption.
The address also recognised the host nation’s longstanding contribution and commitment to DIANA. French innovators, partners, accelerator sites and test centres continue to play a vital role in fostering innovation and adoption. This was reflected in the opening keynote by General Aufort, Director of Agence de l’innovation de défense, as well as the French Army General Staff field demonstration which showcased how Allied forces collaborate in a land-air coalition.
Showcasing innovation
The second day of the programme featured demonstrations from DIANA’s 150 innovators, who have just completed six months of rigorous development, testing and mentorship through the Accelerator Programme.
Across ten challenge areas, participants engaged directly with founders and technical experts, gaining a clearer grasp of how these technologies can be applied and integrated into Alliance defence and security contexts.
For many of DIANA’s 2026 innovators, the International Demo Days was a milestone. Presenting directly to decision-makers opens potential in-roads into adoption opportunities.
Accelerating adoption
The International Demo Days, whilst nominally a demonstration and networking event, was ultimately about the importance of moving innovation into real-world application.
This is why Ms. Hirani-Driver highlighted just a fraction of the successes DIANA innovators have had, both in the current cohort and through DIANA’s Rapid Adoption Service (RAS). When innovators graduate from the Accelerator Programme, it’s not the end but the beginning. Once innovators complete the Programme, they become part of DIANA’s Alumni Network and have access to rapid adoption pathways.
This focus was echoed in the Fireside Chat at La Felicita during the opening of International Demo Days. Featuring NATO DIANA CCO, Ryan Benitez and VP of Global Sales and Business Development at Microamp, Sandrine Legrand, the conversation centred on DIANA’s rapid adoption pathway and its role in streamlining and propelling critical technologies into real-world use, at speed.
Making connections for Alliance security
Alongside technology demonstrations, International Demo Days facilitated formal and informal networking. Dedicated networking sessions enabled participants to connect directly, ask questions and explore opportunities for collaboration. For many, this direct access to innovators was a defining feature of the event.
Looking ahead
The International Demo Days 2026 signalled both the end of the Accelerator Programme for the 2026 innovator cohort, and the beginning of their integration into the defence ecosystem. What happens next is in the hands of our guests and innovators, using Demo Days as a springboard for further conversations, innovation development and adoption.