Empowering SMEs in defence: how accelerators forge pathways to success amid lingering challenges
Accelerators like Plexal run programmes with government departments to help SMEs get access to defence and other markets. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
Speaking to Shephard, DIEM Analytics director Sarah Vincent-Major and Countercraft co-founder Dan Brett both touted the benefits of accelerators for SMEs while detailing the lingering challenges for companies of this size operating in the government space.
Both businesses have worked with Plexal, an innovation hub geared towards solving challenges through collaboration with government, startups, and industry on accelerators it has run.
According to Plexal director of defence James Gayner, the business aims to help close the gaps between ‘public and private, big and small’ to work towards common goals leveraging science and technology.
DIEM Analytics builds AI applications that offer
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
Eurosatory 2026: New public security needs drive personal protection equipment modernisation
European law enforcement and public security agencies are entering a new cycle of investment in personal protection equipment (PPE), driven by evolving threat profiles, officer welfare requirements and advances in materials technology.
-
The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement
European militaries face a rapidly evolving security landscape and defence production must accelerate to meet surging demand for platforms and equipment. Industry needs to adapt to ensure it gets its products into the hands of the end user, Evelyn Rafferty, Senior Director Aerospace and Defence - Europe at Plexus told Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan.
-
Eurosatory 2026: Milrem Robotics puts forward multi-layered defence concept for NATO’s eastern flank
Autonomous systems developer Milrem has evolved a model for an interoperable robotised approach to the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI), showing how uncrewed systems could provide a multi-layered defence architecture in the air and on land along NATO’s eastern borders.