DualTech by Takeoff

DualTech by Takeoff is the Turin-based Accelerator Site that was chosen to run NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic.

DIANA’s goal is to unite the best and brightest deep tech innovators in the Alliance to shape a peaceful future by supporting revolutionary deep tech dual-use solutions to ensure that the Alliance is well-prepared to protect its 30 nations and nearly one billion citizens.

Visit the DIANA website

Our Focus Areas:

Dual-use technologies
• Artificial Intelligence
• Autonomy
• Quantum Technologies
• Hypersonic
• New Space Technologies
• Novel Materials & Manufacturing
• Energy & Propulsion
• Next Gen Comm

What we are looking for:

Energy Resilience
For this challenge, DIANA sought technology solutions that enable the modular design of microgrids that can meet supply demands reliably. Of interest were technologies and systems that are capable of scaling and that are interoperable with other similar systems; renewable power generation; power storage; hardware and software for adaptive and intelligent power conditioning and management; and technologies for the detection and protection of the physical system and components from malicious cyber-attack.
Secure Information Sharing
For this challenge, DIANA was looking for ways of creating a secure and trusted information environment – with the emphasis on live data streams such as those used to provide near real-time video, augmented reality feeds, digital radio and more. Of particular interest were hardware and software solutions that operate over open networks and that can function in ‘austere’ or ‘disadvantaged’ environments.
Sensing and Surveillance
For this challenge, DIANA sought components and systems for sensing and information gathering in subsurface coastal zones. Applications of interest were expected to include novel techniques and/or advanced capabilities for seafloor mapping, undersea infrastructure monitoring, manmade object and marine-life tracking, climate-change-effects sensing, and patterns-of-life visualizations.

Key Dates

Jun. 19 - Aug. 25, 2023
Call for Proposals
Jan. 16-18, 2024
Kick-off week
Jan. - Jun., 2024
Monthly Focus Weeks
May, 2024
Local Demo Day
Jun., 2024
Program End

Program Benefits

Grant and follow-on investment
Receive a 100.000€ non-repayable grant by NATO - DIANA. After 5 months, the top startups in the program will be eligible for a follow-on investment of up to 300.000€ by NATO - DIANA and entrance to the second phase of the acceleration program.
OGR and co-working spaces
Join the largest Innovation Hub in Italy, OGR co-working space in Turin, where you'll have desks at your disposal for the whole duration of the program. Meet the tech companies, venture capitalists, and successful startups that share OGR spaces.
Events and networking
Engage in local meetups, virtual seminars, and in-person events to promote cooperation, knowledge exchange, and synergies between end users, industry partners, and start-ups.
Workshops and office hours
Create refined pitch decks, gain knowledge of negotiating techniques and fundraising tactics, cultivate connections with reliable investors, refine your soft skills and financial plan. Get tailored help from experienced accelerator sites and set goals together to grow your business and KPIs.
Mentorship
Receive tailored mentoring by business executives, seasoned procurement specialists, operational end users, and representatives of the NATO network's Allied defense and security organizations.
Customer and market exploration
Acquire the skills necessary to explore novel markets, collaborate with clients and end users to comprehend their requirements, and recognize business prospects in the defense and commercial sectors.