Two Startups From Instituto Pedro Nunes Join NATO Innovation "Elite"
General
Clique aqui para a versão em português.
Two companies incubated at Instituto Pedro Nunes, Neuraspace and Connect Robotics, were the only ones selected at national level to join the NATO DIANA network (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic). This distinction places Coimbra technology at the heart of the alliance defence strategy, within a select group of companies chosen from among thousands of applications across the 32 allied countries.
The two Portuguese startups will now adapt their civilian technologies to address emerging defence challenges: the security of space assets and autonomous logistics in complex scenarios.
Selected Technologies:
Neuraspace uses Artificial Intelligence to tackle one of the greatest threats to global infrastructure: space debris. Its Space Traffic Management (STM) platform predicts and prevents collisions between satellites and orbital debris with greater accuracy than traditional systems. Within the DIANA acceleration program, Neuraspace will focus on enhancing the security and resilience of satellites supporting communications, GPS, and surveillance, protecting critical infrastructure from accidental or hostile collisions.
Connect Robotics specializes in autonomous drone delivery systems operating Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). Their technology enables precise deliveries in remote or hard-to-reach areas while reducing the need for human intervention. Within the NATO program, the company will accelerate the development of rapid and secure transport solutions for critical supplies (medication, vital components, blood) in disaster scenarios or conflict zones ensuring supply lines remain effective without putting human lives at risk.
.png)
The DIANA Program:
Upon joining the accelerator, Neuraspace and Connect Robotics will receive a:
João Gabriel Silva, President of the IPN Board considers that, “the selection of Neuraspace and Connect Robotics confirms IPN ability to support deep-tech companies competing at the highest global level. Having Coimbra provide solutions for space security and the logistics of the future demonstrates that our science has practical, strategic and sovereign impact.”
Carlos Cerqueira, Chief Business Officer at Neuraspace: “Space is now a contested and congested domain. DIANA support validates our mission: ensuring that access to space remains safe and sustainable. This acceleration will allow us to adapt our solutions to the specific defence and security demands of Europe and the Alliance.”
Eduardo Mendes, CEO of Connect Robotics: “Our drone technology has already proven its value in medical and commercial deliveries. With NATO, we will strengthen the robustness of our systems to operate in the most demanding environments on the planet, where autonomous logistics is not just a convenience but a vital necessity.”
.png)
Two companies incubated at Instituto Pedro Nunes, Neuraspace and Connect Robotics, were the only ones selected at national level to join the NATO DIANA network (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic). This distinction places Coimbra technology at the heart of the alliance defence strategy, within a select group of companies chosen from among thousands of applications across the 32 allied countries.
The two Portuguese startups will now adapt their civilian technologies to address emerging defence challenges: the security of space assets and autonomous logistics in complex scenarios.
Selected Technologies:
Neuraspace uses Artificial Intelligence to tackle one of the greatest threats to global infrastructure: space debris. Its Space Traffic Management (STM) platform predicts and prevents collisions between satellites and orbital debris with greater accuracy than traditional systems. Within the DIANA acceleration program, Neuraspace will focus on enhancing the security and resilience of satellites supporting communications, GPS, and surveillance, protecting critical infrastructure from accidental or hostile collisions.
Connect Robotics specializes in autonomous drone delivery systems operating Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). Their technology enables precise deliveries in remote or hard-to-reach areas while reducing the need for human intervention. Within the NATO program, the company will accelerate the development of rapid and secure transport solutions for critical supplies (medication, vital components, blood) in disaster scenarios or conflict zones ensuring supply lines remain effective without putting human lives at risk.
The DIANA Program:
Upon joining the accelerator, Neuraspace and Connect Robotics will receive a:
- €100,000 grant for initial development,
- Access to a network of more than 180 NATO test centers to validate their technologies in real operational environments
- Opportunity to apply for up to €300,000 in additional Phase II funding.
João Gabriel Silva, President of the IPN Board considers that, “the selection of Neuraspace and Connect Robotics confirms IPN ability to support deep-tech companies competing at the highest global level. Having Coimbra provide solutions for space security and the logistics of the future demonstrates that our science has practical, strategic and sovereign impact.”
Carlos Cerqueira, Chief Business Officer at Neuraspace: “Space is now a contested and congested domain. DIANA support validates our mission: ensuring that access to space remains safe and sustainable. This acceleration will allow us to adapt our solutions to the specific defence and security demands of Europe and the Alliance.”
Eduardo Mendes, CEO of Connect Robotics: “Our drone technology has already proven its value in medical and commercial deliveries. With NATO, we will strengthen the robustness of our systems to operate in the most demanding environments on the planet, where autonomous logistics is not just a convenience but a vital necessity.”
