For the first time, the Ministry of Defence, in cooperation with the science universities’ accelerator “UniLab”, has established the national defence pre-acceleration programme “UniLab Defence”, providing support to Latvian startups developing military or dual-use solutions. The first call under the programme is expected to support up to 10 startups, with funding of up to €120,000 available to each company.
“Latvia has the expertise and entrepreneurs capable of developing technologies needed for defence, but many promising ideas require support to progress from development to a solution that can be put into practical use. Through the national pre-acceleration programme, we will help Latvian startups take this next step, while strengthening the domestic defence industry and creating opportunities for companies to compete in international markets as well,” says Minister of Defence Raivis Melnis.
The national pre-acceleration programme complements the defence innovation support ecosystem already established in Latvia, with the NATO DIANA acceleration programme representing the next stage of development for participating companies.
The pre-acceleration programme has been developed by internationally recognised defence industry practitioners. It is intended for startups developing military or dual-use products, services, or technologies. Support for business development will include both financial and non-financial assistance. This means startups will have access to specialised experts and mentors from 15 countries, providing tailored support for commercialisation and exports to international markets.
Through the “UniLab Defence” programme, startups will also gain access to military end users. Accordingly, participants in the pre-acceleration programme will have the opportunity to validate their solutions in relevant environments in cooperation with the Latvian National Armed Forces and other international partners. Participants will also have opportunities to cooperate with the Michigan National Guard, attend CANSEC—Canada’s largest annual defence, security, and emerging technology exhibition—and participate in an associated Canadian market exploration mission.
“At the end of last year, ‘UniLab Defence’ became one of 16 accelerators across the NATO Alliance authorised to work in Latvia with startups admitted to the NATO DIANA programme. NATO DIANA is an innovation programme aimed at promoting cooperation between NATO, academia, and the private sector in order to accelerate the adoption of new technologies in the defence and security sector.
“Through this programme, we have gained valuable contacts and international partners. We now want to pass on the best of this experience to our startups to help their businesses grow globally. This will certainly give them an opportunity to better prepare for programmes such as DIANA or for raising capital in the future. Every company that is able to take the next step through the ‘UniLab Defence’ programme strengthens Latvia’s defence technology ecosystem as a whole and can directly contribute to the security of the entire Alliance,” says Elīne Lizandere, Head of the “UniLab Defence” programme.
Startups can submit applications for the National Defence Pre-Acceleration Programme until 18 September by completing the application form here:
https://unilab.lv/nationaldefenceprogram
This year’s competition is based on a specific challenge statement—a defined operational problem in the defence sector that the solutions proposed by startups must address. During the first stage of evaluation, experts selected by “UniLab Defence” will assess the extent to which each application addresses the challenge, as well as its compliance with other criteria set out in the programme regulations, including the technical solution, development roadmap, and team readiness.
The second stage will consist of in-person interviews, during which shortlisted startups will meet with experts to discuss not only their technology but also their business development prospects and the readiness of their teams.
The programme for selected startups will begin on 6 October.
More information about the Defence Startup Pre-Acceleration Programme:
https://unilab.lv/nationaldefenceprogram
“Latvia has the expertise and entrepreneurs capable of developing technologies needed for defence, but many promising ideas require support to progress from development to a solution that can be put into practical use. Through the national pre-acceleration programme, we will help Latvian startups take this next step, while strengthening the domestic defence industry and creating opportunities for companies to compete in international markets as well,” says Minister of Defence Raivis Melnis.
The national pre-acceleration programme complements the defence innovation support ecosystem already established in Latvia, with the NATO DIANA acceleration programme representing the next stage of development for participating companies.
The pre-acceleration programme has been developed by internationally recognised defence industry practitioners. It is intended for startups developing military or dual-use products, services, or technologies. Support for business development will include both financial and non-financial assistance. This means startups will have access to specialised experts and mentors from 15 countries, providing tailored support for commercialisation and exports to international markets.
Through the “UniLab Defence” programme, startups will also gain access to military end users. Accordingly, participants in the pre-acceleration programme will have the opportunity to validate their solutions in relevant environments in cooperation with the Latvian National Armed Forces and other international partners. Participants will also have opportunities to cooperate with the Michigan National Guard, attend CANSEC—Canada’s largest annual defence, security, and emerging technology exhibition—and participate in an associated Canadian market exploration mission.
“At the end of last year, ‘UniLab Defence’ became one of 16 accelerators across the NATO Alliance authorised to work in Latvia with startups admitted to the NATO DIANA programme. NATO DIANA is an innovation programme aimed at promoting cooperation between NATO, academia, and the private sector in order to accelerate the adoption of new technologies in the defence and security sector.
“Through this programme, we have gained valuable contacts and international partners. We now want to pass on the best of this experience to our startups to help their businesses grow globally. This will certainly give them an opportunity to better prepare for programmes such as DIANA or for raising capital in the future. Every company that is able to take the next step through the ‘UniLab Defence’ programme strengthens Latvia’s defence technology ecosystem as a whole and can directly contribute to the security of the entire Alliance,” says Elīne Lizandere, Head of the “UniLab Defence” programme.
Startups can submit applications for the National Defence Pre-Acceleration Programme until 18 September by completing the application form here:
https://unilab.lv/nationaldefenceprogram
This year’s competition is based on a specific challenge statement—a defined operational problem in the defence sector that the solutions proposed by startups must address. During the first stage of evaluation, experts selected by “UniLab Defence” will assess the extent to which each application addresses the challenge, as well as its compliance with other criteria set out in the programme regulations, including the technical solution, development roadmap, and team readiness.
The second stage will consist of in-person interviews, during which shortlisted startups will meet with experts to discuss not only their technology but also their business development prospects and the readiness of their teams.
The programme for selected startups will begin on 6 October.
More information about the Defence Startup Pre-Acceleration Programme:
https://unilab.lv/nationaldefenceprogram