Accelerator reviews more than three ideas a day from innovators and placed 55 per cent of contracts with start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) fast-tracked 245 innovative technologies and novel solutions while investing £42.8 million in start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses, industry, and academia over the past 12 months.
DASA assessed more than three proposals a day (1,172) from innovators during 2019/2020 with 55 per cent of all contracts awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to its third annual review published today.
The review shows that DASA helped give business and investment coaching to 15 companies that pitched for private sector investment of more than £40 million.
The document also identifies key lessons learnt from the year and what next steps DASA will take.
These include:
DASA will also place greater focus on helping innovative ideas make a difference for the armed forces and national security world by working closer with those who ultimately will benefit from and use the new technology being developed.
The annual review highlights several case studies of projects funded through DASA that are already achieving impact, including in autonomous systems, swarm drones, and data.
Head of DASA Anita Friend said:
Andy Caldwell, who has taken up the role of interim Head of DASA for the next 12 months, said:
DASA is part of the Ministry of Defence and finds and funds innovations for the armed forces and national security.
You can view the annual review by clicking here. It is best viewed using the Google Chrome browser.