Introduction
The nature of deeptech and defence startups results in unique obstacles including extended development time and specialized equipment needs as well as regulatory and security requirements and proof of operational readiness. Startups receive two crucial benefits from the correct accelerator or incubator which includes initial capital together with access to laboratory facilities and pilot testing sites and domain mentors and procurement pathways and industry partners which help reduce product development risks and enable first pilot deployments. This summary presents various regional and international programs that developers of dual-use and defence-enabled and deep-technology products need to know about along with their operational details and available resources and application procedures.
NATO DIANA: A go-to for defense-relevant pilots and testbeds
The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) functions as a worldwide initiative from NATO which identifies and accelerates dual-use deep technologies. The DIANA program conducts challenge-based calls while linking startups to multiple accelerator sites and test centres which operate across member countries. The organization provides financial support together with expert guidance and facility access for testing and pilot operations. Startups that develop defense-relevant technology in autonomy, sensing, secure communications or resilience fields should consider DIANA as their primary gateway for obtaining funded validation services alongside access to customers from allied defense sectors.
Founders should understand that DIANA organizes its process to guide deeptech companies through specific defense-related validation phases with both monetary assistance and operational guidance. Through DIANA startups gain the quickest entry to NATO-certified test facilities together with stakeholders who focus on procurement activities.
European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): Broad reach and sectoral depth
EIT administers two pan-European programs for pre-acceleration and scaling which include EIT Jumpstarter and KIC-aligned offers. Research spinouts together with early-stage deeptech teams benefit most from EIT programs because they provide market discovery capabilities and EU-level networks and consortium partner connections. EIT programs integrate three elements through their funding structure which includes training alongside living labs and prize distribution. The RIS (Regional Innovation Scheme) countries benefit from EIT programs because these initiatives connect Adriatic and Balkan teams with EU pipelines and collaborative projects. Through EIT, founders from Ljubljana, Zagreb and Belgrade gain access to laboratories, industry partners and international consortium networks.
Founders should understand that EIT provides less defense-procurement focus compared to DIANA but its pan-European network alongside sectoral KICs in digital, manufacturing and raw materials enable access to joint projects and non-dilutive grants and partner discovery which are essential for developing production-grade deeptech.
Slovenia: Ljubljana’s cluster with Technology Park Ljubljana and ABC Accelerator
The deeptech sector in Ljubljana has evolved into a powerful regional center. Technology Park Ljubljana provides laboratories together with shared work spaces and partnership programs which maintain strong relationships with local educational institutions and startup communities. The ABC Accelerator located in BTC City provides investment programs which link teams to CEE and international investors while partnering with local innovation infrastructure for pilot testing. Local hubs including Startup Hub Ljubljana provide deeptech teams with prototyping facilities and corporate connections and regional testing environments for urban, logistics and smart-city technologies.
Practical tip: Begin your discussions in Slovenia by contacting Technology Park Ljubljana for laboratory connections and industry networking and use ABC's programs for investment connections and business development guidance.
Croatia: Zagreb’s incubators and digital-tech enablers such as ZICER, Algebra LAB and HUB385
Zagreb features an evolving network of incubators designed specifically for product and digital deeptech startup ventures. The Zagreb Innovation Centre ZICER delivers extended incubation services together with office space and laboratory facilities and connects startups to investors. Algebra LAB functions as a digital innovation center which maintains strong industry connections through its private education partnerships and pilot projects. The winners of local accelerator and competition programs typically gain entry to EU initiatives alongside corporate pilot programs. The hardware-oriented teams can obtain fabrication and testing resources through ZICER and university laboratories.
Practical tip: You should utilize ZICER for developing initial operational capacity while Algebra LAB provides digital or AI integration together with industry contact networking.
Serbia: Belgrade hubs, testbed development and seed funds such as ICT Hub, Impact Hub and Innovation Fund initiatives
Belgrade contains two established innovation centers which include ICT Hub together with its venture operations and Impact Hub Belgrade. The public programs in Serbia provide support to construct innovation incubators in R&D organizations which maintain strong partnerships with defense research involving universities and public laboratories. Local incubators provide startups access to regional ministry contacts and defense prime connections by assisting them with funding proposal development for national and EU calls.
Practical tip: Your product requires formal R&D partnership and local test infrastructure so you should join university-linked incubator programs that get public funding to build testbeds.
Other regional and international programs to track
Regional Central and Eastern European accelerators plus investor networks including Vestbee listings organize investor connections together with demo days which draw Western venture capitalists. These programs are good for business development and follow-on capital.
The industry and corporate accelerators run challenge-based initiatives to find dual-use technologies. The productive pilot routes include open calls and procurement innovation units from large primes which serve as effective examples.
National innovation agencies together with funds across the region enhance their grant and co-funding frameworks. The programs regularly provide joint financing support to incubators alongside university spinouts.
How to choose the right program (decision guide)
1-Match objectives. If your immediate need is a defense pilot and testbed access, prioritize DIANA or national defense accelerator calls. If you need market discovery, prototyping labs and consortium partners, EIT and local tech parks are better fits.
2-Check facilities. For hardware or deployment-heavy products, verify whether the program offers clean rooms, fabrication facilities, LiDAR or antenna test ranges, or robot labs.
3-Procurement pathways. Programs that include defense stakeholders, primes or procurement offices accelerate conversion from pilot to contract. DIANA and corporate accelerators often excel here.
4-Funding mix. Look for programs that combine grants, pilot funding and investor introductions. Avoid offers that trade away excessive equity for minimal support.
5-Security and compliance. Defense projects require special handling, including NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreement) and export controls. Confirm the program’s experience with classified or controlled projects.
Practical application and outreach playbook for founders
1-Map your ask. Define whether you need a test and demonstration pilot, lab access, grant or non-dilutive funds, or investor capital. Target DIANA for pilots if defense-relevant, EIT and local hubs for labs and grants, and accelerators or investor networks for equity capital.
2-Apply with a pilot-ready package. Even for pre-seed teams, include a clear pilot plan, required facilities, success metrics and a timeline for scaling beyond the pilot. Programs prefer measurable outcomes.
3-Leverage local anchors. Start at your nearest tech park or incubator such as Technology Park Ljubljana, ZICER or ICT Hub. They know regional funders and can help shape applications into DIANA or EIT formats.
4-Pitch for dual-use value. Emphasize civilian applications alongside defense capabilities. Many programs including DIANA and EIT favour dual-use propositions that can scale commercially
Closing: Build with an ecosystem, not in isolation
The growth of deeptech and defense startups in Central and Southeast Europe depends on collaborative efforts rather than individual achievements. The best strategy involves obtaining laboratory space and initial mentoring from local incubators and tech parks while accessing grant funding from European networks like EIT and pilot funding from defense accelerators including DIANA and corporate challenges for procurement access. Startups can establish their operational foundation by utilizing regional innovation hubs which include Ljubljana’s Technology Park and ABC alongside Zagreb’s ZICER and Algebra LAB as well as Belgrade’s ICT Hub and Impact Hub. The validation scaling process through DIANA and EIT-backed programs accelerates the transition from research and development to operational deployment. Deeptech founders can transform their engineering projects from high-risk concepts into funded field-tested capabilities through this strategic approach.