UniLab

UniLab Defence Becomes a NATO DIANA Accelerator Site in Latvia 🇱🇻

2025-06-12 10:49 News
UniLab Defence is announcing its official activation as the NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) Accelerator Site in Riga, Latvia. This announcement highlights Latvia in the global defence innovation landscape and opens up new opportunities within dual-use technologies.

UniLab Defence is a part of UniLab, Latvia’s leading universities startup accelerator to help turn technology-based ideas into business success. As a part of its growing role in the defence innovation ecosystem, in 2025 UniLab Defence has hosted the Drone Summit 2025 Pitching Session, as well as launched the first defence Pre-Accelerator programme in Latvia.

“The establishment of the NATO DIANA accelerator in Latvia has both symbolic and practical significance. It demonstrates both the role of innovation and technology in strengthening NATO’s overall capabilities, and the close connection of the Latvian ecosystem with world-class innovations, technologies and international companies,” emphasized Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds.

The Ministry of Defence has supported UniLab’s application and qualification as a NATO acceleration centre, and is providing financial support for the establishment of its pre-acceleration programme together with Latvian science universities.

DIANA, NATO’s defence innovation accelerator, was established to develop dual-use technologies that address security and defence challenges.UniLab Defence functions as a NATO DIANA Accelerator Site in Riga, Latvia by:

â—Ź hosting selected startup teams from NATO;

â—Ź guiding them throughout the accelerator program;

â—Ź as well as providing them with the support needed.

"Setting up a DIANA Accelerator Site in Rigapromotes access to international military expertise, inclusion in the international military innovation ecosystem, as well as the recognition of the Latvian ecosystem. Our expertise in unmanned and communication systems, as well as testing infrastructure, is in demand and competitive for alliance innovators," shares Andris Baumanis, board member at UniLab.

In close collaboration with the Riga Technical University, University of Latvia, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Riga Stradins University, and with the support of Ministry of Defence of Latvia, UniLab Defence - the official NATO DIANA Accelerator Site in Latvia - aims to boost regional growth and resilience in the face of global security challenges.

For more information, visit: https://www.diana.nato.int/ & https://unilab.lv/defence