The Board of Directors NATO's DIANA initiative has approved Finland's proposal to establish a business accelerator and two testing centres in Finland. The Ministry of Defence submitted Finland's proposal to DIANA's Board of Directors in July 2023.
The Ministry of Defence acts as the national authority responsible for the project and the Technical Research Centre VTT has coordinated the preparation in co-operation with the ministry.
VTT will establish NATO’s business accelerator in collaboration with Aalto University and the University of Helsinki in Otaniemi, Espoo. Joining the DIANA network strengthens Aalto's accelerator activities in dual-use areas of research.
The accelerator focuses on future communication systems and quantum technology. It provides businesses with training on business development in the defence sector. The accelerator's services are designed especially for startup companies and small and medium-sized enterprises, which have little experience in defence and security sectors.
The technology testing centres will be established in connection with the University of Oulu and VTT's Otaniemi site. The Otaniemi testing centre will focus on testing cyber-secure communication as well as quantum and space technologies. The testing centre coordinated by the University of Oulu will offer companies the opportunity to test 6G network technologies. For example, at the testing centres, it will be possible to evaluate the concepts and technologies developed by companies and provide support for their development.
This article was first published on 14 March by Aalto University.
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