NATO DIANA enters phase two: 15 companies selected to accelerate defence innovation

LONDON (September 4, 2025): NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) has announced the second phase of its accelerator programme, advancing 15 companies from an initial cohort of 73. The highly selective process underscores DIANA’s mission to identify, fund and rapidly adopt the most promising dual-use technologies into allied defence and security.

The selected companies will each receive €300,000 in non-dilutive funding and continue to benefit from access to NATO test centres, expert mentorship and tailored support designed to accelerate adoption into operational use. This next stage moves from proof of concept toward technologies that can directly strengthen NATO’s capabilities.

“Phase two is a pivotal stage in our Accelerator Programme, and I congratulate these companies for making and taking this next step,” said James Appathurai, Managing Director of NATO DIANA.

RVMagnetics, from the first NATO DIANA cohort through the Janus Accelerator, is developing ultra-thin sensors capable of measuring multiple parameters without physical contact – an innovation with applications across civilian industries and national security.

Phase two provides startups with pathways to validate solutions under operational conditions, strengthen collaboration with NATO allies and accelerate adoption across defence and civilian markets. By combining non-dilutive capital with structured access to NATO infrastructure, DIANA helps ensure that innovation reaches the war fighter and decision-maker at pace.

15 companies from 10 countries across the NATO Alliance have advanced to phase two, tackling complex defence, security and resilience challenges across cybersecurity, biotechnology, robotics, uncrewed systems, space and maritime defence.

In partnership with the Defence and Security Accelerator, part of UKDI, the Janus consortium is led by IoT Tribe alongside the SETsquared Partnership and Atmos Ventures. Janus gives startups the tools, network and momentum to turn bold ideas into operational capabilities for the UK and NATO allies.