VTT Dual-Use LaunchPad
Powered by VTT LaunchPad & NATO DIANA
Supporting a more secure world.
Welcome to the gateway for startups and innovators ready to transform deep tech into global impact. Operated by VTT LaunchPad under the NATO DIANA initiative, this accelerator serves as a launchpad into the world of dual-use innovation, where disruptive technology meets real-world defence and civilian needs.
This isn’t just an accelerator. It’s a launchpad into the future of secure, dual-use innovation across 32 Allied markets.
What is NATO DIANA?
DIANA is the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, a NATO organisation with a mission to locate and accelerate dual-use innovation across the Alliance. DIANA leverages its accelerator programme and test centre network to bring startups together with operational end users, scientists and systems integrators to advance compelling deep tech with dual-use solutions for the Alliance.
Out of 3680 applications, 150 successful innovators will be selected to form DIANA’s 2026 cohort.
News and events
Interested in staying in the loop? Check out some news highlights as well as upcoming defence and dual-use events taking place during the Slush-iest time of the year. You can also stay up to date by following our LinkedIn page!
For dual-use innovators
Why DIANA?
This program is designed to help dual use startups go further, faster - with real funding, real testing, and real-world impact.
Startups selected into the DIANA accelerator gain:
- €100,000 non-dilutive funding upfront, with a chance to earn an additional €300,000
- access to 17 accelerators and 180 test centres across NATO countries
- mentorship from top-tier scientists, engineers, procurement experts, and end users
- real-world testing in operational environments
- exposure to the Allied Capital Community for follow-on investment
- a direct path to NATO procurement channels and 32 Allied markets
- a 6-month, high-impact program that bridges deep tech, defence, and business
How the programme operates:
NATO DIANA is an accelerator programme designed for dual use startups.
Each year, NATO DIANA announce a series of challenges or themes identified as most critical to serve the alliances defence purposes. Start-ups whose tech solution falls into one or multiple of these categories are invited to apply for the accelerator programme. Companies accepted will be assigned to one of NATO DIANA’s 17 associated accelerator sites and participate in a comprehensive 6-month programme as a NATO DIANA “innovator team”.
Phase 1
The programme begins with a competitive Challenge Call, typically held at the start of the year. Selected innovators are placed at one of DIANA’s accelerator sites and supported by mentors and the DIANA team.
Over a six-month period, participants engage in:
- lectures, workshops, and networking events.
- interaction with government and defence end-users across NATO.
- training on legal and security challenges.
- business development and upskilling.
- opportunities to test and validate solutions at DIANA’s test centres.
Phase 2
Following phase 1, the programme transitions to a more focused, portfolio-based model. A smaller group of innovators is selected through a competitive process.
This phase includes:
- additional funding and tailored support.
- direct collaboration with commercialisation and investment experts.
- continued access to DIANA’s mentor network, testing facilities, and events.
- support for achieving commercial goals, securing investment, and identifying adoption pathways.
As an activated accelerator site, the VTT Dual-Use LaunchPad’s activities are primarily concerned with phase 1.
What is the application process?
In phase 1 of the application, start-ups are required to submit a long form and short form proposal (Summer).
Those accepted into phase 2 of the application process are then invited to interview with the NATO DIANA team (Autumn).
During phase 3, teams selected into the programme are notified of their acceptance (Winter).
Interested in applying for the NATO DIANA accelerator programme?
While applications for the 2026 cohort are closed, be sure to keep up with NATO DIANA related news on their socials and website and get ahead of the 2027 application process!
VTT’S role as an activated accelerator site
For the first time VTT has received activation as an official accelerator site for NATO DIANA. This means that in 2026, we will deliver the 6-month NATO DIANA curriculum to a number of innovator teams assigned to our accelerator site.
As preparations are underway, let's take a look at what this means for us.
Our goal is to enable as many Finnish startups as possible entry into the program. Our mission is to ultimately strengthen Finland’s role as a hub for dual-use innovations.
This program isn’t just about tech, it’s about building a safer, more resilient world. From secure communications to quantum sensing, the innovations accelerated here will:
protect critical infrastructure
enhance disaster response and crisis management
enable secure, sovereign digital ecosystems
support climate resilience and energy security
In essence, we’re not just accelerating startups, we’re accelerating solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
Programme delivery
As an activated accelerator site, we are responsible for delivering a 6-month curriculum for innovator teams as part of phase 1 of the accelerator programme. This means we’ll arrange:
mentors for each team, pulled from our vast partner network
masterclasses on relevant business, defence, and technical topics
workshops
visits to end users
networking opportunities with investors
& more!
NATO DIANA test facilities
The DIANA test centre network currently composes of over 180 test centres across the alliance.
VTT is proud to be part of DIANA's test centre network, offering state-of-the-art platforms for testing solutions that serve both civilian and defence applications.
Secure Connectivity, Space and Quantum Test Centre
VTT hosts a cutting-edge, multi-site test centre dedicated to advancing secure connectivity, space technologies and quantum innovations, together with Aalto University.
6G Test Centre
As a global test hub, hosted by the University of Oulu in partnership with VTT, 6GTC advances 5G and 6G research for both civilian and defence applications, aligning with NATO’s objectives.
Meet our partners
Delivery of the NATO DIANA programme requires many moving parts, luckily, we have a partner network who are here to support us along the journey.
Aalto University
Aalto University is Finland's second largest university, established in 2010 through a merger of three renowned universities in the Helsinki metropolitan area in Finland. At Aalto University science and art meet technology and business. Aalto University’s mission is to build an innovative society where breakthrough discoveries deeply integrated with design and business thinking enable systemic solutions and accelerate innovation.
The University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is the largest and highest-ranking university in Finland, ranking among the global top 100. Some of its scientific strongholds are, for example, digital precision medicine, semiconductor materials research, and AI and data science. In many of the central topics throughout the university, there is high potential for defensive, dual-use, and crisis resiliency technologies and solutions.
DEFINE Riihimäki
Defence Innovation Network Finland (DEFINE) is an innovation ecosystem initiated by the City of Riihimäki. Its goal is to build an international, high-level defence and security industry network. As an innovation ecosystem, DEFINE brings together the best military and civilian experts to create new innovations that serve both military needs and the society as a whole.
VTT’s expertise in defence and security innovation
As a key partner of NATO DIANA, VTT is at the forefront of advancing technological innovation in the defence sector. VTT provides R&D services to companies participating in the program, offering them access to world-class expertise, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art facilities. Explore how we contribute to strengthening defence capabilities and security solutions.
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