The Polish improvement Fund, in cooperation with MON and technological parks in Kraków and Gdańsk, launched another edition of the IDA (Innovation for Defence Accelerator). This year, participants focus on solutions for the space sector, communication of the future and protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic, building a fresh generation of Polish defence innovations.
IDA Bootcamp is an initiative to combine an innovative manufacture with the needs of the military and the safety sector. Participants can make their ideas to be utilized in the future by the army, space agencies or key infrastructure management companies. 33 teams qualified for this year's edition to receive support covering webinars, workshops and mentoring sessions over the coming months. This allows start-ups to consult experts, representatives of the Polish Armed Forces and defence manufacture partners directly.
This year IDA focuses on space technologies and security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic. Participants included: WB Group, Polish Armed Forces Group, CTM, ICEYE, Palantir, CloudFerro, BAE Systems and Orange, AROBS Polska, Cilium Engineering, code quest, DEVOPSBAY, Evorain, IS-Wireless, KP Labs, PIAP Space, Secure2me, Shin Rai Robotics, SigmaLabs, Sybilla Technologies, X3D and Rzeszów University of Technology.
The simultaneous engagement of the public and private sectors in the improvement of breakthrough defence technologies aims to accelerate their implementation to applicable use.
Secure communication
This year's edition focuses on dual-use technologies (double application). The participants' projects focus on solutions that increase communication security, infrastructure resilience and defence systems efficiency. Invited to participate in the IDA Bootcamp startups are working on systems resistant to interference and cyber attacks, both in space and in the marine environment. The solutions developed include postquant cryptography technologies, satellite data encryption and 5G/6G communication systems, which will let to make and keep tactical networks in crisis situations.
An crucial part of the program are projects that make intelligent, self-operating systems – from drones to underwater reflection units. fresh solutions enable exploratory missions, water patrolling and marine threats to be addressed without direct human participation.
Participants of this year's edition of the IDA are besides start-ups building intelligent networks of devices that detect and transmit data about the environment. They usage real-time data analysis software to monitor the state of strategical installations specified as ports, energy networks or communication systems. The combination of information from multiple sources enables fast detection of anomalies and consequence to possible threats.
From accelerator to investment
During the first 2 editions, 45 teams passed an intense support path, having over 700 individual 1:1 meetings with representatives of the military, manufacture and investors. For many startups it was a breakthrough minute – the first direct contact with a real user of technology and the first step towards strategical deployments.
Some projects from erstwhile editions have achieved crucial success. An example are SATIM and DefendEyewhich received investor support after participation in the programme. Their technologies to analyse satellite images and detect threats have been of interest to both the civilian and military sectors. – Participation in IDA Bootcamp 2023 was an crucial step for us in adapting our technologies to the needs of the defence sector. The anticipation of direct contact with representatives of the military, manufacture and investors allowed to realize the expectations of the marketplace even better – emphasizes the typical of SATIM, a associate of 1 of the erstwhile editions. Denis Minakov, CEO of PulsePower, who participated in the IDA in 2024, will join him: – Participation in the program helped us specify the mission of the company. We came out of it with a clear direction of improvement and products tailored to the needs of the marketplace – he says.
Companies like Quantum Quest and Creyacht have akin experiences. The IDA programme builds a space for cooperation between the technology sector and defence institutions, so both startups have established a lasting relation with the military and defence industry, continuing to work together on technology development.
As experience shows, IDA does not end with bootcamp – it is frequently only the beginning of long-term cooperation and real implementation.
