Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin has launched the Innovation Initiative’s £6m Accelerator Enduring Challenge which is looking to fast-track innovative ideas which aim to keep the UK and its Armed Forces safe.
According to a statement from the Defence and Security Accelerator, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Ministry of Defence (MoD), the competition will encourage cutting-edge ideas.
The groups cited former innovations such as the life-saving device being developed by the University of Strathclyde to minimise blood loss in severely injured personnel; and 2iC’s state-of-the-art work on secure data exchange between soldiers, vehicles, and bases and between coalition partners and allies.
The £6 million Enduring Challenge will fast-track the best ideas by funding their development, matching suppliers with expert innovation partners, and boosting supplier access to defence.
Opening the competition in London, Baldwin commented: “The Accelerator Enduring Challenge is another important step in our Innovation Initiative’s aim to transform defence. Backed by a rising defence budget and our £800m Innovation Fund, the Innovation Initiative is transforming Defence’s creative culture.
“We are challenging academics and businesses of all kinds to innovate, cooperate, and build mutual security and prosperity as the UK develops its ambitious Industrial Strategy to ensure an economy that works for everyone.”
The competition is set to run regularly, with up to 12 rounds a year.
