NATO's DIANA network expands

NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) has announced the expansion of its transatlantic network of test centres and accelerator sites.

The expansion brings DIANA's footprint up to 23 accelerator sites (up from 11) and 182 test centres (up from 90) in 28 Allied nations.

The new accelerator sites and test centres are intended to boost both the capacity to support innovators and the technical expertise available to them across a wide range of disciplines.

The sites will provide companies within the programme expert advice and access to test and trial their technologies in specialised environments.

DIANA-affiliated accelerators deliver specialised business acceleration programmes to cohorts of start-up companies, whilst the network of test centres provides these companies with access to cutting-edge testing facilities.

There are five UK sites in the DIANA test centre network.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology.

Digital Catapult accelerates advanced digital technology adoption to benefit the UK.

The Satellite Applications Catapult is at the heart of the satellite services revolution.

The High Value Manufacturing Catapult is a network of seven research and innovation centres that work with government, industry and academia to commercialise cutting-edge research.