Join an event

Regional Security and Defence Summit

21 October 2026

Workshop

Connecting startups with NATO's innovation ecosystem

This short brief lets the facilitator tailor the session, the case exercise and the feedback you get — so the 90 minutes are spent on your venture, not on introductions.

~8 min to complete4 short sections5 free-text answers, rest are clicks

CORE is a trusted partner. The workshop is facilitated by Dr Borislav Bankov, NATO DIANA Test Centre, GATE Institute — Sofia University.

1 / 4

You and your organisation

So we know who is in the room and can group founders with similar profiles for the exercise.

Full name *

Email *

Organisation or venture *

Country of legal registration *

Your role *

Team size

Website or LinkedIn Optional — helps the facilitator prepare targeted feedback.

2 / 4

Your innovation

The one-liner below becomes the first draft of the elevator pitch you'll refine in the workshop.

In one sentence: what does it do, and for whom? *0 / 200

Technology areas *Pick all that apply — these map to NATO's emerging and disruptive technology priorities.

Where is the technology today? *

Idea or conceptTRL 1–2 · principles observedPrototype in the labTRL 3–4 · proof of conceptPrototype tested in a relevant environmentTRL 5–6 · field or operational trialPilots or early customersTRL 7–8 · system qualifiedCommercial productTRL 9 · proven in operation

What makes it different from what already exists? 0 / 400

In the exercise, will you work on… *

My own venture or ideaA case study provided by the facilitator

3 / 4

Dual-use and defence fit

This is what the facilitator uses to pre-match you with a programme — DIANA, NIF or SPS — before you walk in.

Which security or defence challenge could it address?

Who could be the end user in defence or security?

Who are your main civilian customers today? Optional. NATO's own policy: what wins in civilian markets tends to thrive in defence.

Prior engagement with defence or dual-use programmes

How familiar are you with NATO's innovation ecosystem?

First time hearing of DIANACould brief others on it

4 / 4

What you need from us

Shapes which pipelines get the most airtime and who you're seated next to.

Funding to date *

Open to follow-up conversations on NATO opportunities? *

Which support would help most? Choose up to three.

What do you want to leave the workshop with?

One question you'd like answered on the day

You'll get a copy by email and a short reading list on DIANA, NIF and SPS before the summit.