Throughout history, particularly in NATO, technology, security, and defense have been intertwined with policy pillars and instruments of power. The consensus among observers has been that technology has enabled NATO to improve its efficiency, effectiveness, interoperability, impact and resilience in its designated priority areas.
Recently, NATO made an exciting announcement, revealing that twenty-three NATO Allies have officially become Limited Partners of the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF). This initiative begins a new era in defense and security as the NIF prepares to invest €1 billion ($1.1 billion) in a multi-sovereign venture capital fund. The primary goal? To support cutting-edge Deep Tech projects in various disruptive areas of the defense and security markets, aligning with NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept focusing on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs).
What is NATO’s Innovation Fund?
NATO’s Innovation Fund (NIF), the world’s first multi-sovereign venture capital fund of its kind, is getting a foothold to impact the trans-Atlantic region over 15 years significantly. Unlike conventional tech companies, Deep Tech initiatives require substantial investment in research and design (R&D) processes to tackle well-defined challenges with a recognized customer base. These challenges often involve highly uncertain technology, making finding initial backers daunting.
However, these investments are crucial for fostering disruptive technological solutions, precisely what the NIF aims to achieve. The fund’s ambitious objectives include advancements in hypersonics, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, autonomy and next-generation communications. It also shows interest in supporting developments in biotechnology, energy and propulsion, and space operations.
One of NIF’s standout features is its commitment to providing “patient capital” to meet the needs and timelines of Deep Tech innovators. This patient approach is designed to secure an enduring future for the Alliance’s one billion citizens by allowing innovators the time and resources they need to develop highly innovative technologies.
DIANA: Supporting the NIF’s Efforts
While the NIF is a game-changing initiative, it benefits from the experience of its sister initiative, the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). Launched in 2021, DIANA aims to foster transatlantic cooperation on critical technologies and engage with the private sector and academia. DIANA’s unique approach involves competitive industry challenges based on essential defense and security problems, utilizing deep-tech dual-use technologies.
As of June 2023, DIANA has established 91 test centers in 21 countries across Europe and 11 accelerators across Europe and the United States. The initiative launched its first three challenges in 2023, focusing on energy resilience, secure information sharing, and sensing and surveillance.
DIANA’s energy resilience challenge seeks a modular microgrid design that reliably meets supply demands. The secure information sharing challenge aims to create a secure environment for live data streams, including low-latency video, augmented reality feeds, and digital radio. Lastly, the sensing and surveillance challenge focuses on developing systems for subsurface coastal zones, with applications ranging from seafloor mapping to climate change effects sensing.
NATO’s Innovation Fund and DIANA are driving innovation in defense and security. By providing substantial funding and support to Deep Tech innovators, they aim to address critical challenges and harness the potential of emerging technologies. These initiatives represent a commitment to ensuring the security and prosperity of the trans-Atlantic region while fostering collaboration between NATO Allies and the private sector.
In all probability, the key factors determining how nations and organizations advance in the present technology and security revolution are political willingness, organizational culture, and situational awareness of the importance of EDTs, particularly deep tech. There is a chance for NATO to adopt a new way of thinking. As the NIF prepares to make its inaugural investments, it promises to catalyze advancements in defense and security technologies.