This year’s Demo Day was an official side event of Latitude59, Estonia’s flagship tech conference. 100 guests – ranging from investors and end users to NATO representatives and defence attachés – got to see and experience the latest and greatest in DefenceTech. General Martin Herem, the head of the Estonian Defence Forces, was also in attendance.
Dual-use technology companies in the NATO DIANA innovation accelerator gathered alongside local defence technology companies to present solutions that help strengthen the defence capabilities of NATO member states.
According to Kadri Tammai, head of the NATO DIANA Estonian accelerator and Tehnopol Startup Incubator, the development of companies in the accelerator program has been significant. “At the beginning of January, we accepted companies in the accelerator whose turnover in some cases reached several million, but they were all just taking their first steps in the defence sector. Today, the teams have made a powerful leap in the field of technology development, have the opportunity to test their products in the world’s top test centres, and have established future financing plans.”
Among more than 1,300 candidates, GaltTec, a startup from Tartu, Estonia, was chosen as one of the companies to enter the accelerator. The company produces exceptionally small and powerful fuel cells and fuel cell materials based on patented technology. According to Glen Kelp, CEO of GaltTec, the NATO DIANA accelerator has been a real springboard for boosting the company’s operations. “The intense but comprehensive programme has been pure gold for a startup like ours and a fast track to understanding the specifics of the defence industry.”
In addition to the NATO DIANA companies, the Demo Day lineup included 12 innovative Estonian companies building impactful dual-use technologies, many of which are already actively contributing to supporting the Ukrainian army. Milrem Robotics, company of the year DefSecIntel, GScan, and newer solutions Dhride Technologies and Asax Innovation were all on the spot, as well as KrattWorks, Marduk, MDSC Systems, Nordic Armoury, SensusQ, Vegvisir, and Wayren.
The DefenceTech Demo Day was organised in cooperation with the Defence and Space Association and Invest Estonia. The NATO DIANA Estonia accelerator is managed by Tehnopol Startup Incubator in cooperation with Sparkup Tartu Science Park and business accelerator Startup Wise Guys. The implementation of the accelerator in Estonia is financed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the City of Tallinn. In Estonia, TalTech, the University of Tartu, CR14 and the Military Academy, the Academy of Security Sciences and the Estonian Aviation Academy contribute to the alliance-wide network of testing centres.
The next round of NATO DIANA applications will be announced this summer. All dual-use deep technology companies registered in a NATO member state can apply.
Defence has always been a focal point for Estonia, where entrepreneurs and engineers team up with the army to develop world-class solutions for the global defence industry. When we mean defence, we mean business. If you want to invest in a more secure world, get in touch through our e-Consulting service and let’s find you the right investment opportunity.
