The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) continues to play a critical role in strengthening the UK defence supply chain, supporting suppliers from concept stage through to commercial adoption. As part of the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to innovation and industrial growth, DASA provides direct funding and structured opportunities for businesses of all sizes to deliver solutions to priority defence challenges. Its approach offers SMEs, start-ups and established companies a proven route into the sector, enabling access to contracts, partnerships and international markets.
Recent funding rounds have addressed urgent capability gaps such as battlefield medical technologies, electronic warfare, and recycling of advanced materials. Successful suppliers have demonstrated how early DASA investment can translate into long-term commercial success, including contracts with major primes and diversification into new market areas. Examples include SMEs that began with modest seed funding before scaling up to supply into national and allied defence programmes.
For suppliers, the pathway into DASA is clear and structured. Competitions are published regularly on the DASA website, each addressing a defined defence or security need. Businesses submit proposals through an online portal, with funding decisions made quickly compared to traditional procurement routes. Awards range from small-scale seed funding to multi-million-pound contracts, and many projects progress through phased development stages, allowing companies to build capability while de-risking innovation for defence buyers.
DASA also provides opportunities to engage directly with Ministry of Defence stakeholders. Pitch events, industry briefings, and regional workshops connect innovators with end-users and primes. This not only gives suppliers critical feedback at an early stage but also helps align solutions with operational requirements, increasing the likelihood of adoption into service. In addition, the Regional Defence and Security Clusters (RDSCs), supported with new UKDI funding, provide further opportunities for suppliers to network locally with larger industry partners, academia and government representatives.
For SMEs and new entrants to the defence market, DASA represents one of the most accessible and responsive entry points into the supply chain. Its competitions are open to both defence specialists and companies from adjacent sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, digital, and energy, making it a route for non-traditional suppliers to explore defence applications for their technologies.
Suppliers interested in engaging with DASA should monitor the competition pages on the DASA website, attend engagement events, and prepare concise proposals that clearly address the problem statement set out in each call. Early engagement with the DASA Access to Mentoring and Finance (A2MF) team can also help businesses prepare for commercial scaling, investor engagement, and integration into wider MOD programmes.
By funding innovation, connecting suppliers with operational needs, and opening doors to commercial growth, DASA is a cornerstone of the UK’s defence industrial strategy. For companies seeking to enter or expand within the defence sector, its competitions and support structures provide a practical and proven route to market.
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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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