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What Estonia may lack in scale, it delivers in quality. This month, the country has secured one of the strongest positions in NATO’s DIANA defence innovation accelerator.
Of 2,613 companies that applied to NATO DIANA’s second cohort, only 15 made it to the final phase. Each finalist receives up to €300,000 in funding, adding to the €100,000 from phase one.
With two local DefenceTech startups — Wayren and Telearmy — Estonia matched the performance of the U.S., Canada, and U.K. as the only countries with multiple representatives in this final round. It was also one of the few countries whose solutions have been already proven and tested on the battlefield, helping the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Already being one of the most generous donors, Estonia plans to continue supporting Ukraine, allocating €100M for defence aid in 2026.
- Telearmy develops remote-control technology for vehicles, enabling operation over long distances via Starlink or radio links. The technology is currently deployed on the Ukrainian frontline and was demonstrated in June through a remote taxi service on Tallinn’s public roads.
- Wayren creates communication platforms for critical environments, eliminating dangerous delays in mines and battlefields. The company’s Singularity software was tested with Estonia’s Defence Forces during a HIMARS exercise on Saaremaa island in July.
The NATO DIANA accelerator runs in 13 allied countries and focuses on dual-use technologies serving both civilian and defence applications. Areas include cybersecurity, biotechnology, robotics, uncrewed vehicles, space, and maritime defence.
Estonia’s accelerator is managed by Tehnopol Science and Business Park with Sparkup Tartu Science Park. Funding comes from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, supported by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, plus the city of Tallinn. The second phase runs from September through February, providing personalised mentoring and networking with investors and end-users across NATO countries.
