The Tech News Roundup’s Post

Defence will publish its first innovation strategy since 2020 later this year to capture seismic changes to policy, procurement and budgets, while putting a new premium on experimentation and dual-use technology. #Defence #DefenceInnovation #DualUse #DefenceScience

Ukraine's defence tech sector is transforming rapidly, with innovations driven directly from the battlefield. In an article for Vestbee, Ivan Kaunov, co-founder of Finmap.online, Buntar Aerospace, and Defence Builder Accelerator, explores why Ukraine is uniquely positioned to lead the global defence tech space. Key insights: 💡 Battle-Tested Innovations: Ukrainian defence solutions benefit from immediate battlefield feedback, enabling rapid iteration and unmatched efficiency. 💡 The Magic Formula: Success in defence tech combines three critical components: military expertise, engineering talent, and business management. Initiatives like Defence Builder Accelerator are key to fostering these synergies. 💡 Building Bridges: Collaboration with Western partners for capital and technology is vital for scaling innovation and modernising defence capabilities. Kateryna Bezsudna, CEO and co-founder of Defence Builder Accelerator, highlights how sustainable investment in military startups can transform defence tech. At the same time, Daria Yaniieva, PhD, Investment Director at Sigma Software Labs and Board Member of the accelerator, discusses how Ukrainian innovations are setting new global standards for defence technologies. Read the full article to learn how Ukraine is reshaping the future of defence innovation: https://lnkd.in/de5R4gRq #DefenceTech #UkraineInnovation #TechForGood #DefenceBuilderAccelerator #SigmaSoftwareLabs

Scaling is the word here! Ukrainians have ingeniously adapted and adopted everything in their possession to achieve goals within demanding surrounding. As was written in detail in a West Point publication "What Does European Union Advising of Ukrainian Troops Mean For The Bloc's Security Policies. An Inside Look At The Training Mission", Ukrainians oftentimes taught the trainers, not vice versa, the realities of War, and their ways to address the pressing needs, both in tactics and means. Both these - experience and innovations must be scaled, find their way into textbooks in Military Schools everywhere. On a side note... "We always prepare for the previous war" was one of the banes of the military education. But, again from this publication, many a trainer found their way to the libraries to dust off the textbooks on WW1 tactics. Yes, really. So, I guess, it is now "we must prepare to use the most modern innovations and inventions and weapons to fight the yesteryear war".

It was an honor to be a speaker at Defense Tech Valley, BRAVE1's conference in Kyiv last week. The audience was the who's who of defense tech innovation in Ukraine. Over this past weekend, fifteen more companies applied to MITS Accelerator (operated jointly by MITS Capital and American University Kyiv)--we will struggle to meet demand. The key points I made at the conference: -- The West needs Ukraine. While the US/EU are the high-cost producers of arms compared to China/Iran/Russia, Ukraine is the lowest-cost producer of arms in the free world. -- Ukraine has quickly developed a well-deserved reputation as the most innovative nation in drone technology -- Only in Ukraine is real-time innovation possible. Ukraine offers a unique combination of innovative weaponry, innovative tactics, and an adaptive organizational structure in a constant feedback loop that optimizes the deployment of weapons to achieve mission objectives. If you are a defense tech investor wanting to get involved where innovation occurs, DM me. MITS Capital is drinking at the fire hydrant of deal flow. Lara Seligman Joe Gould Tony Capaccio Connor O'Brien Audrey Decker Sam Skove Kollen Post Heather Somerville Alistair MacDonald #ukraine #ukrainewillwin #defensetech Venture Capital Venture Capital Journal Defense Tech VCLink News

Are we in the midst of a #DefenceTech hype cycle? In a recent article by Anne Sraders at Sifted, it was discussed whether too much air time has been afforded to defence tech, with some arguing little is actually happening in the sector. But it was also noted that people on the ground in #Ukraine would likely disagree with the conclusion, even if data does suggest that less money is being invested than expected. When #technology is being used to save lives every day, it simply cannot be boiled down to ‘hype’. For Ukraine and its #defence tech #founders, maintaining long-term commercial success is secondary to deploying this technology and iterating upon it to better defend the nation. In this way, the success of the sector cannot be measured in the same way as any other emerging technology. Read the full article via the link: https://bit.ly/4fkR3wj

From Lisbon to Tallinn, defence tech has moved to the main stage at tech conferences and investor meet-ups. For years, European VCs considered defence or dual-use technologies taboo. But as the geopolitical reality in Europe hardens — Nato is preparing for a potential military conflict with Russia within the next 10 years— the tech community sees the commercial potential of modernizing the continent’s armies.

I had the privilege to attend the NATO-Ukraine Defense Innovators Forum through the Emerging Threats Group, Oxford Changing Character of War Centre , organised by the US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) alongside NATO Innovation, Hybrid, and Cyber Division. The forum underscored the intersection of emerging technologies, defense strategies, and battlefield realities. Here are the key takeaways: - People-Centric Defense Innovation: Bringing together stakeholders and building trust from government, industry, and academia is vital for delivering rapid, scalable solutions to the frontline. - Interoperability: Common software, operating systems, and open standards are crucial for battlefield integration, especially for UAVs and CUAVs and EW. - Joint Capability Development: Focus on improving military systems through joint efforts, rather than merely increasing weapon supplies. Emphasize doctrine, training, and architectural planning. - Rapid Acquisition and Innovation: Speed in acquisition and adapting to battlefield needs are essential. The US Defense Innovation Unit's rapid software approval process contrasts sharply with traditional timelines. - Risk-Taking in Innovation: Embrace uncertainty and volatility as hallmarks of true innovation. Direct feedback from end users, the Ukrainian military, to the industry/ manufacturers is critical for refining technologies. - Manufacturing and Logistics: Victory hinges on manufacturing prowess and logistical efficiency. Quantitative disadvantages on the battlefield can be overcome by qualitative advantages through innovative manufacturing and logistics strategies. - Autonomy in Warfare: The future of warfare will increasingly involve robots and autonomous systems, reducing the need for human soldiers on the front lines and enhancing operational efficiency. - Learning from Ukraine: Battlefield lessons are shaping Western defense policies and will be crucial for future conflicts. The rapid adaptation and testing of technologies in Ukraine provide invaluable insights. - Investment Ecosystem: There is a growing need for venture capital in dual-use startups, with an emphasis on mission-driven investments and understanding governmental procurement strategies. To empower dual-use and deep tech start-ups NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) and NATO DIANA in Europe and BRAVE1 in Ukraine are essential. - Role of Academia: Research labs and academic institutions like CCW in Oxford can play a pivotal role in defense innovation, leveraging interdisciplinary talent and research to address battlefield challenges. These discussions highlighted the imperative of harnessing innovative defense technologies and rapid adaptability to ensure strategic advantage and success on the battlefield. Looking forward to integrating these insights into our work at CCW and continuing the discussions with some of the speakers from the Forum. #NATO #DefenseInnovation #Ukraine #EmergingTech #CCW #DefenseTech #BattlefieldInnovation #DualUseTech

#NATO has announced the selection of ten companies to enter the next phase of its Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (#DIANA) programme. Selected from an initial group of 44 start-ups, these companies will now enter the 'Grow' phase, where each will receive up to €300,000 to further develop their innovative #technologies and engage with investors over the next six months. The winners, representing seven NATO member countries, are addressing critical challenges in #energy, data #security and #surveillance. Through this initiative, DIANA aims to drive disruptive technological advances in the hashtag #defence sector, with the next cohort starting in early 2025. 📌 More: https://lnkd.in/eBpkC-U8

#defenseindustry "In recent years, the government has taken significant strides toward the indigenous manufacturing of defense equipment, fostering a robust ecosystem for R&D in defense and space industries. This push will create base for tech hub that not only strengthens national capabilities but also offers immense benefits to the entire Global South. By prioritizing self-reliance and innovation, nation may positioning itself as a leader, paving the way for a dynamic, globally competitive industrial ecosystem."

William LaPlante and Heidi Shyu outline the Defense Department's efforts to drive innovation and to quickly field emerging and critical technologies, claiming that "there has never been a better time to find entry to and do business with the department." "We have invested in new research and production activities like the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies program, and new mechanisms for partnerships through our Manufacturing Innovation Institutes." "We have made use of programs like Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment, Manufacturing Technology and Defense Production Act Title III to shore up the defense industrial base so it can deliver needed systems." "We have also strengthened our engagements with the commercial sector through the work of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Defense Innovation Unit, in addition to initiatives like the Office of Strategic Capital and our network of APEX accelerators." #defenseinnovation #defensetech #defenseindustry https://lnkd.in/ei9YcKuF