DPRTE Engage partner DASA fast-tracks 245 innovations with £42m boost to business

August 25, 2020

DPRTE Engage DASA fast-tracks 245 innovations with £42m boost to business

DPRTE Engage partner, the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), has released its annual review revealing that it 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.

According to its third annual review published this week, 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).

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:

Taking more risks
Spotting and stopping ideas that are not working quickly
Expanding our business mentoring team and services to help tech start-ups and SMEs attract new funding, commercialise their ideas and companies, while building economic growth and prosperity across the country

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: “The threats faced by the United Kingdom and our allies continue to be complex and are intensifying and evolving at a relentless pace.

“Events over the last 12 months highlight the essential need for novel and innovative approaches if we are to maintain advantage over those who wish to cause harm to our country and our people.

“But it is perhaps the effects of the coronavirus pandemic at home that have brought sharp national focus on the critical need for innovation as we respond, recover and rebuild from this crisis to ensure the UK remains a safe and prosperous place to live.

“DASA is at the forefront of this vital effort: fast-tracking technology from a diverse range of sources outside of Government to unlock new and enhanced capabilities while investing in brilliant and inventive small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs who are the lifeblood of our economy. That is why I am so proud of everything our team has achieved.”

Andy Caldwell, who has taken up the role of interim Head of DASA for the next 12 months, commented: “DASA has achieved so much in its first three years and I am really excited to join and lead this innovative organisation for the next 12 months.

DASA has a crucial role to play in the future of our defence and national security and has already got off to a flyer for the coming year, making major contributions to the national effort against coronavirus and launching a major international collaboration with our United States allies for space innovation.”

DASA are an Official Event Partner at DPRTE Engage Online. The event’s virtual Technology and Innovation Knowledge Transfer Zone will bring together some of the leading technology organisations, such as DASA and Dstl, to deliver sessions designed to keep you up to date on defence technology innovations, how to access funding and how you can bring your product to the marketplace.