NATO & Startups: Innovation Race
- NATO is increasingly looking to startups to redefine modern warfare, where drones, AI, and cyberattacks are becoming commonplace.
- Jyoti Hirani-Driver, former counter-terrorism policy advisor for the British government, leads DIANA as COO.
- "It’s the first time ever we’re working as one on defense innovation," Hirani-Driver said.
NATO is actively partnering with startups to revolutionize modern defense through its DIANA initiative, tackling key challenges in AI, cybersecurity, and more.this strategic move, spearheaded by COO Jyoti Hirani-Driver, connects innovative startups to essential resources, mentorship, and test centers across NATOS 32 member nations. DIANA identifies dual-use technology, fostering advancements applicable to both military and civilian sectors. Startups benefit from access to a network that accelerates their growth and helps them deliver cutting-edge tech directly to the armed forces.Goldilock, Astrolight, and Revobeam are among the firms involved.As news Directory 3 follows the latest developments in defense tech, discover what’s next for these partnerships and how they will shape the future of innovation.
NATO’s DIANA Initiative Accelerates Defense Tech Innovation with Startups
Updated June 03, 2025
NATO is increasingly looking to startups to redefine modern warfare, where drones, AI, and cyberattacks are becoming commonplace. The Alliance launched DIANA in June 2023 to fund and support defense innovations, connecting universities, industries, and governments with startups across more than 200 accelerator sites and test centers.
Jyoti Hirani-Driver, former counter-terrorism policy advisor for the British government, leads DIANA as COO. Her goal is to identify dual-use technology that benefits both military and civilian sectors across NATO’s 32 member nations, deploying it rapidly.
“It’s the first time ever we’re working as one on defense innovation,” Hirani-Driver said.
She added, “We’ve always needed cutting-edge tech and innovation to outpace our adversaries and to make sure our armed forces have the best warfighting capabilities. DIANA can help us do that.”
Hirani-Driver’s background includes securing £1.1 billion for tech R&D at the Ministry of Defense, supporting advancements in hypersonics, big data, autonomous systems, AI, and space-based technologies.
“My job there was to embed innovation into the lifeblood of defence — not just in terms of capabilities, but in our people as well,” she said.
DIANA’s dual-use tech approach aims to broaden the talent pool, accelerate adoption through civilian markets, and enhance commercial viability.Startups triumphant in civilian markets are more likely to thrive in defense, according to Hirani-driver.
“There are startups doing amazing things in the civilian world that don’t realize how valuable they could be to defence,” said Hirani-Driver. “We help them make that leap.”
DIANA’s programs address specific defense and security challenges, including energy, data security, sensing, health, and infrastructure. Selected startups enter a six-month program with access to NATO mentors, end-users, and test centers.
British startup Goldilock, for example, validated its network isolation solution at CR14 in Estonia, a military-grade cyber range.”they can take that as a stamp of approval that their technology has been validated at one of the best cyber test centres in the Alliance,” Hirani-Driver said.
Each startup receives €100,000, but Hirani-Driver emphasizes the value of connections to end users, mentors, and test centers. Success means “keeping those good ideas alive, helping them grow, and eventually seeing them deliver tech directly to our forces.”
participating startups include Goldilock, Astrolight (secure laser communication), and Revobeam (clever antennas). Lobster Robotics, a Dutch firm, joined DIANA for its autonomous underwater vehicles.
“I want to see Lobster Robotics delivering to the Navies across the Alliance,” Hirani-Driver said.
With new challenges launching this summer, DIANA will expand its focus areas to enhance NATO’s warfighting capabilities.
“Big defence contractors have an critically important role to play in the security of the Alliance, but we continually need new players, more choice — and better tech,” she said. “Innovations from early-stage startups and SMEs are thus critical for the Alliance and our defense capabilities.”
What’s next
The next wave of DIANA challenges will launch this summer, expanding the program into additional focus areas to bring new innovations to NATO’s warfighting capabilities.