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Defence Startup Accelerator
The dark forest hypothesis implies intelligent life in the universe is often hostile or indifferent and aims to eliminate other civilisations it encounters to be on the safe side. Increasing geopolitical tensions reflect this "Dark Forest".
We need your brilliance to navigate these threats. Join Dark Forest Accelerator and leverage our industry networks, defence investor relations and real battlefield veterans, to build the right products and fortify our defense now. Join us in shaping a secure future.
DARK FOREST
Accelerator Program
MILITARY | CIVILIAN | DUAL-USE
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Iterate your innovation with the defence industry, special operators and get ready for funding.
Who is the program for?
Startups, Researchers and individuals developing innovative solutions for Defence, Security, Law Enforcement, Cyber or Critical Infrastructure. Whether it is developed for civilian or military purposes or has dual-use application, as long as it can increase the safety, security and stability of the Nordic region, Europe and our allies globally, NDIF mission is to help you succeed by connecting with the right people in the industry and investors who make investments in defence related companies.
Are there fees or do I have to give equity of my company?
No. The accelerator program is free for the teams selected to join and the NDIF does not ask you to give any equity.
When is the program held and do I have to attend on site?
TBD. We're still finalising our partners and expert mentors so the final program will be finished and published during summer. For teams outside Finland we understand travelling can be a challenge, so we will try to design a program with onsite and remote options to bring the most value, but we're working towards bringing the teams physically together at least for part of the program.
Who can apply and how to apply?
We're primarily offering the program for teams from the Nordic Countries and Estonia, but we also review applications outside the region and can accept them case-by-case basis. We encourage you to apply once the application period starts.
Before the application period you can subscribe to waiting list using the form below and we will inform you about the program updates and once the application period starts. You can also follow us on LinkedIn to get the latest news about the NDIF.
If you've decided to launch a startup, you have most likely identified the business potential of your innovation.
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The NDIF Startup track starts by developing the business case, deck and pitch to make it ready for investors and potential partners or customers.
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Then the Startup and Research tracks merge and most of the activities are the same for both tracks.
MILITARY, DEFENCE
OR SECURITY?
We welcome all innovations that can advance safety and stability. It can be kinetic military solutions and other applications directly for the battlefield, but there are other ways to increase our day-to-day security.
For example, increasing cyber security of companies, heads of state and citizens can prevent influencing attempts and dis-information campaigns that can lead to more severe situations.
PUBLIC SAFETY &
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Eventually we will face adversity. Will it be forest fire, earth quake, terrorist attack or something else, we have to be prepared to manage the crisis. That's why we see that our regional security and safety can be increased if our ability to manage crisis is elevated.
This approach goes also outside our own region. Preventing and managing crisis in remote countries can bring safety and stability to those areas and minimise effects on other countries and regions.
Research is done at the cutting edge of the modern technology, but often there is a disconnect between research and commercialisation.
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This is where we help your research team to identify potential for commercial defence and security areas and offer guidance on commercialisation.
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University Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) will help researchers in commercialisation process but the NDI program can be joined even if you haven't yet took concrete steps towards commercialisation.
QUANTUM COMPUTING, MATERIALS, SENSORS, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?
While we do not define certain verticals that can or can not be part of the program here are a few areas we see promising.
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Advances in quantum computing can ultimately render our current encryption methods useless, therefore developing technologies in quantum computing space or quantum resistant encryption methods is directly connected to our future security.
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Same applies to artificial intelligence. Using AI either as offensive or defensive tool is going to be part of the future battlefield and cyber security so let's make sure we develop the tools before the malicious actors do.
DISEASE PREVENTION
& FIELD MEDICINE
The covid-19 pandemic showed us how a highly contagious disease can change our lives. This is why we are also welcoming teams developing solutions to prevent and manage disease that pose a great threat to our civilisation and possibly existence.
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These innovations can be about preventing and managing viral pandemics, antibiotic resistance or health related solutions of the battlefield.
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Even if you're not sure if your project is a match for the program we encourage you to apply and we can assess together how well our program could support your team to succeed.
Do you have what it takes to go through the Dark Forest?
Please fill in your contact details and describe shortly your startup, project or innovation and we will keep you updated about the application period and program updates. You can also add any questions you may have in the message and we'll answer them asap.
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*Note! Do not include any classified material or information in the contact form.