Accelerating defense innovation
A national initiative connecting military end-users with cutting-edge civilian technology. We bring together Sweden’s most capable innovation environments to accelerate capability development and strengthen defence readiness, resilience, and operational effectiveness — from idea to implementation.
A structured gateway to civilian innovation
We help defence actors find, validate, and implement civilian technologies with strategic relevance. We support the entire process — from challenge definition to operational pilots, including:
Targeted matchmaking and open innovation challenges
Startup and scaleup coaching for dual-use development
Access to defence related funding programmes
Governmental organisations & integrators
Identify and access relevant technologies and connect with startups and strategic partners through a structured process.
Startups & scaleups
Get access to coaching, funding pathways, and industry opportunities in the defence sector.
Sweden’s most advanced deep tech ecosystem
Bridging defence needs and fast-moving technologies takes more than good intent — it demands infrastructure, experience, and networks that span sectors.
Rooted in Sweden’s strongest deep tech ecosystem, we bring defence needs and technological capabilities closer together by combining early-stage innovation with institutional reach.
This initiative is led by five organisations with long-standing expertise in development, entrepreneurship, and public-sector collaboration:
Kista Science City brings together companies, researchers and public actors to accelerate innovation with real-world impact. With long-standing experience in coordinating national programmes and test environments, we provide the infrastructure that connects civil innovation with defence needs. We are also a founding partner of Ignite Sweden and co-leads an EDIH in cybersecurity.
Ideon Science Park is one of Sweden’s most renowned science parks, operating at the intersection of business, academia, and society in Skåne. Anchored by Lund University, we offer incubation, acceleration, and funding pathways — with the defence innovation platform Amyna, and a growing community of deep tech startups and established industry players.
LEAD has solid experience supporting companies in deep tech and dual-use, including a dedicated Dual Use Accelerator. As a partner in NationalDefenseHub and Sweden’s node in the NATO DIANA structure, we bring direct expertise in internationalisation and the requirements of NATO-related innovation environments.
Since 2002, Sting has supported more than 500 startups from idea to international scale. As one of Europe’s leading startup hubs, it provides tailored acceleration support in business development, financing, sales, growth, IP, and networks. Focus areas include Climate & Energy, Health & Life Science, Digital & AI, and DeepTech, with strong links to RISE Europe, DeepTech Alliance, and CASSINI.
Uppsala Innovation Centre has long-standing experience supporting research-intensive companies with CBRNE relevance, biological applications, and advanced materials technology. We run a dedicated dual-use accelerator programme and maintain close geographical ties and active collaboration with the Swedish Air Force at F16.
Get in touch
Whether you’re scouting for innovation, looking to enter the defence sector, or want to shape Sweden’s next generation of capabilities — we’re ready to connect.