04.09.2025
Estonia secures strong position in NATO DIANA defence innovation programme
Today, as part of the second year of the NATO DIANA innovation accelerator, the companies selected for the programme’s next phase were announced. A total of 2613 companies applied to join the second cohort of NATO DIANA, of which 73 were chosen for the first phase – including two Estonian startups. Each team selected for phase two will receive up to €300 000 from NATO DIANA, in addition to the €100 000 grant funding awarded in the first phase.
Seven companies took part in the programme at the NATO DIANA Estonian accelerator, including two Estonian firms – Wayren and Telearmy. Now, as only 15 companies from across the alliance move forward to the second phase, three of them are teams accelerated their growth in Estonia’s accelerator, including both Estonian startups. Alongside the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, Estonia is one of the only countries represented by two or more firms, giving Estonia one of the strongest showings among NATO nations in the second phase.
“I am very pleased to see Estonia’s contribution to NATO DIANA stand out so strongly. The fact that three teams accelerated here – including two of our own defence industry companies – have advanced to the next stage shows how quickly Estonian entrepreneurs can adapt, act and seize opportunities. The same applies to our Defence Forces, who have been on board with testing new solutions. I dare say that Digital Nation 2.0 will gain momentum thanks to the successes of our defence industry,” said Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defence.
All the companies progressing to the next phase of NATO DIANA are developing dual-use technologies, with applications in both civilian life and the defence sector. The selected companies come from ten NATO member states, offering solutions in cybersecurity, biotechnology, robotics, uncrewed vehicles, space and maritime defence. The challenges to be solved were set collectively by all allied nations.
Minister of Economy and Industry Erkki Keldo welcomed the fact that both the DIANA accelerator in Estonia and the companies accelerated here are of exceptionally high quality. “Estonia’s success in defence industry innovation shows that our small size is not a limitation but an advantage – we can be flexible, adapt quickly, and work closely with businesses, researchers and the state. These strengths have helped our companies stand out in the accelerator and achieve strong results in a highly competitive field. The fact that as many as two Estonian companies have advanced to the second phase of the DIANA accelerator demonstrates our very strong position in international defence innovation.”
A key feature of the second phase of the programme is its personalised approach. Each team will be able to choose the right mentoring and networking opportunities with investors and end-users across NATO countries to deliver on their six-month goals. The DIANA framework creates a bridge between stakeholders, with the aim of supporting the adoption of innovative technologies that address civilian and defence challenges and move us towards a more sustainable and secure future.
The NATO DIANA Estonian accelerator is once again led by Tehnopol Science and Business Park. As Estonia’s largest business incubator, its strength lies in deep knowledge of the startup sector and long-standing experience in supporting the growth of technology-based startups.
“The strong representation of teams developed in Estonia among the companies advancing to the second phase of NATO DIANA shows the high calibre of our accelerator and its ability to foster technologies that matter to the entire alliance. For Tehnopol, together with Sparkup Tartu Science Park, it is a great honour to be a partner on this journey – our goal is to support the growth of innovative technology companies and take them to the international stage. We are especially proud that two of the teams advancing are Estonian firms – this is a testament to the strength and global competitiveness of our startups. The NATO DIANA accelerator is a prime example of how Estonia’s knowledge and startup expertise help tackle challenges in both the civilian and defence sectors and bring us a step closer to a safer and more sustainable future,” said Agnes Roos, CEO of Tehnopol.
The following 15 companies will be part of phase two of the second NATO DIANA cohort: Wayren and Telearmy (Estonia), IS-Wireless (Poland), 52 North Health and Zelim (United Kingdom), RVmagnetics (Slovakia), Tactical Edge Systems, Swaza and Kinnami Software Corporation (all United States), MANITTY (France), Reaction Dynamics and TACTIQL (Canada), DeltaOrbit (Germany), Alea Quantum Technologies (Denmark), and Kellu (Finland).
Telearmy’s innovative remote-control technology, already in use on the Ukrainian frontline, can be integrated into existing vehicles, enabling remote driving over long distances and at high speeds via Starlink or radio link. In June, Telearmy, in cooperation with the German taxi platform Bliq, launched a remote-controlled taxi service on public roads in Tallinn.
Wayren is developing a platform for uninterrupted communication in critical environments, eliminating life-threatening delays in mines as well as on the battlefield. In July, Wayren’s Singularity software was tested together with the Estonian Defence Forces during a HIMARS live-fire exercise on the island of Saaremaa.
The companies will be part of the second phase of the NATO DIANA accelerator from September this year until the end of February. In addition to Estonia, accelerators are running in 12 other allied countries.
The accelerator in Estonia is run by the Tehnopol Startup Incubator working together with Sparkup Tartu Science Park. The funding to start the accelerator in Estonia comes from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the city of Tallinn.
