DASA-funded innovators take centre stage at DSEI
Small companies, big stage: DASA’s commitment to support SMEs shines through at the world’s biggest defence expo
On a mission to find and fund innovation for a safer future, DASA works on behalf of Government defence and security organisations to strengthen links with innovators across the UK and overseas. Since 2016, we have funded over 1300 projects, investing £246 million in innovation. 56% of that funding has been awarded to SMEs, to help them develop good ideas and get them closer to the hands of end users.
In addition to funding innovative ideas, DASA uses platforms such as DSEI to showcase cutting-edge projects to a global audience, including Governments, national armed forces and industry leaders. In 2021, SMEs Flare Bright and SimCentric joined us on our stand, gaining lot of interest from event attendees, including the previous Secretary of State for Defence. Since then, both companies have made significant strides and were present again at DSEI 2023 to exhibit their progress.
Former Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace meets SimCentric and Flare Bright at the DASA stand, DSEI 2021.
Flare Bright
DASA provided initial funding for Flare Bright’s autonomous nanodrone that captures aerial intelligence in the field. Afterward, Flare Bright shifted its focus to software development and has since established a thriving defence business.
SimCentric
DASA funding has helped SimCentric develop a virtual reality based-training system for military personnel. The innovation has since been licenced by the Australian Army.
2023 Highlights
This year, we welcomed IF Defence and VRAI to join us alongside Dstl and Ploughshare in the MOD Innovation Hub.
IF Defence
If Defence (formerly Novus) has demonstrated their high speed, low energy, mobile and vehicle-mounted water purifier capable of producing safe, medical grade drinking water. Learn more.
VRAI
VRAI’s data capture technology, funded through the DASA Open Call, has the ability to codify and predict airmanship performance. This technology can be used to accelerate training time for RAF recruits. Learn more.
We were also delighted to see many other DASA-funded organisations demonstrating their products at DSEI this year, including:
- Quickblock: DASA funding has helped QUICKBLOCK develop a lightweight, portable structure assembly system, comprised of flat-pack building blocks that can withstand ballistics and blast fragmentation.
- Cervus: DASA funding has helped Cervus develop XCALIBR, a marksmanship analytics and feedback tool to improve individual and collective training.
- Sentinel Photonics: DASA funding has helped Sentinel Photonics develop a cost effective novel camera based laser range finder and laser target designator detector. They have recently announced a new partnership with Edgar Brothers.
- Filtronic Broadband: Through the DTEP Programme, Filtronic Broadband is collaborating with a major aerospace company to manufacture and test plastic encapsulated Transmit Receive Modules (TRMs) for electronically scanned radar systems.
- Sheffield University: Funded through the Telexistence Themed Competition, The University of Sheffield’s MediTel (Medical Telexistence Platform) aims to deliver next generation medical telexistence technologies that integrate telepresence, robotics, and haptic technologies on one platform.
- Kinsetsu: Kinsetsu’s DASA funded personnel and accounting technology has been procured by the Royal Navy to improve personnel safety and security on both Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.
DASA funded innovators at DSEI 2023. Clockwise from left to right. University of Sheffield. Kinsetsu. QuickBlock. Cervus.
DASA is devoted to strengthening the UK’s defence and security supply chain by providing support to innovative SMEs. Diversity of thought is essential to identify and fund the most innovative Defence and Security projects, and DASA is committed to collaborating with all types of organisations . Our team looks forward to working with more SMEs and we encourage suppliers of all types to get in touch.