The evening before the NATO summit in The Hague, more than 950 participants gathered in the Binckhaven for the Securing the Future event. Representatives from 32 NATO countries, including the Ministry of Defense and representatives of the KIA-Security, exchanged ideas and presented technologies that have both civilian and military applications. The focus was on AI, quantum technology, drones, maritime security, and space, among other things. The event resulted in dozens of new collaborations.
Solutions that can be used for military and security purposes
During the event, participants explored how regional clusters of governments, companies, and knowledge institutions can strengthen one another to respond more quickly and effectively to the technological needs of the Ministry of Defense. The five Dutch priority areas identified by Defense (smart materials, sensors, quantum, space technology, and intelligent systems) served as a useful guide.
Fifty innovative Dutch startups and SMEs also showed their solutions during special showcases. The many new partnerships established during the event will help accelerate innovation and improve access to financing for companies working on so-called dual-use technology – solutions that can be used for both civilian and military or security purposes.
Pitching to fifty investors
Access to financing remains one of the biggest obstacles for young tech companies. During the event, twenty innovative companies were given the opportunity to present their solutions to an international network of more than fifty investors, including the NATO Innovation Fund and the Dutch SecFund. The latter fund – set up by the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and regional development agencies – focuses on early-stage investments in Dutch startups, scale-ups, and SMEs that respond to the technological needs of the Ministry of Defense. Tective Robotics, a developer of autonomous drone launch systems, pitched its technology to potential investors.
Simplified cooperation with the Ministry of Defense
It is often a challenge for young and innovative companies to meet the complex requirements of defense contracts. To support them in this, the new Strategic Defense Innovation Research (SDIR) approach was presented during Securing the Future. State Secretary Gijs Tuinman (Defense) symbolically accepted a publication from his own ministry. “With the SDIR approach, we are committing ourselves to early collaboration, open innovation, and smart alignment of strategic needs with technologies that do not yet exist,” said Tuinman.
