Innovators hope Nato’s Diana scheme will open doors

16 Dec 2025 | News

The Diana accelerator has announced a record cohort for 2026. Participants are looking forward to connecting with investors and end users

Assembly of a FOSSA Systems satellite. Credit: FOSSA Systems

Nato’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (Diana) has selected 150 companies to participate in its 2026 challenge programme, more than double this year’s cohort of 73 companies.

This will be the third group of companies to join the scheme, which helps innovators to develop and test dual-use technologies and connects them with military end-users, mentors and investors.

In the first phase of the programme, which lasts six months, companies will receive a €100,000 grant. They will also be assigned to one of 16 accelerator sites, gain access to more than 200 test centres, and participate in lectures, workshops, networking events and mentoring.

A smaller group of companies will be selected to continue to the second phase, where they will receiving additional funding of up to €300,000 to further develop and demonstrate their solutions and work with…