BattleLab
Located at Dorset Innovation Park, The Ministry of Defence has joined forces with Dorset Council and Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, to open the first of its kind in the UK, the Defence BattleLab. The facility is home to end-users from different trades and specialisations across Defence; people placed to help collaborators navigate the MoD and make engagement more accessible. BattleLab seeks to enable exciting and creative collisions and connections, bringing the right minds together to solve challenging problems and emerging threats. Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, accelerated by the convergence of 5G, artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum computing. By being transparent and willing to work more collaboratively, Defence aims to keep pace and remain competitive in a changing world. BattleLab is the defence innovation Co-Creation Space, part of the government National Strategic Technology and Innovation Exchange (NSTIx) programme. The programme was established to enable innovative development and prosperity opportunities by bringing parties to the table that would not normally be involved.
Visit BattleLab's website
Defence Science and Technology Library (Dstl)
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) provides world-class expertise and delivers cutting-edge science and technology for the the benefit of the UK and allies.
Visit Dstl's website
DIANA Accelerator Programme
The DIANA accelerator programme is designed to equip businesses with the skills and knowledge to navigate the world of deep tech, dual-use innovation. It provides an immersive curriculum and ‘boot-camp’ involving the NATO innovation network and strategic business partners from the commercial and defence markets.
The programme includes a six-month, hands-on boot-camp consisting of ten modules custom-designed for early-stage start-ups to build companies into viable dual-use ventures. Through a combination of lectures, workshops, and mentorship, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the dual-use landscape and learn how to successfully navigate both commercial and defence markets.
DIANA boot-camp participants compete for a spot in an additional six-month DIANA ‘Grow’ programme, which provides tailored support and additional grant funding for a smaller number of participants.
Early-stage start-ups or small and medium-sized enterprises with minimal experience in defence and security are likely to benefit most from the unique DIANA accelerator programme.
Visit the DIANA programme website
Maritime UK South West
A public, private, research partnership focusing on the Great South West dedicated to increasing the marine and maritime economy. Maritime UK South West brings together a network of South West partners to develop and promote four overlapping and complimentary world class marine centres of excellence with the potential to exploit global market opportunities and create transformational economic growth for the region.
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Offshore Renewable Energy
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Autonomy & Geospatial Data
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Marine Manufacturing
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Ocean Technology & Aquaculture
Visit Maritime UK South West's website
South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster (SWRDSC)
The SWRDSC is the first pan-Defence and Security cluster in the UK. It forms a collaboration led by industry and academia with the support of government and its ministerial departments such as the MOD and its innovation directorate, and the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). The cluster seeks to aggregate and raise the profile of regional D&S capability to stimulate greater sector knowledge, business, economic growth and productivity across the South West region. It will attract businesses of all scales with an interest in D&S to deliver new sector and cross-sector capability. It aims to apply a ‘Team UK’ approach to enable more joined up working between industry, academia and government, providing an efficient and accessible route to industry curation and the region’s D&S value chain.
Visit SWRDSC's website
West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF)
The West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF) is a membership trade organisation that is passionate about all aspects of aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing. The member and partner base represent a very wide spectrum – from SMEs to global corporations.
Visit WEAF's website