Portugal’s “first” accelerator dedicated exclusively to defense, security, and dual-use technologies has graduated 30 companies into the business and investment phase, marking a new step in the country’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the European defense innovation ecosystem.
The program, called the Defense Accelerator, is run by Startup Leiria, which held its Demo Day earlier this month, according to a press statement released by the organization.
The initiative is described as the first of its kind in Portugal to focus specifically on preparing companies to operate in the defense and security market, including both civil and military applications.
More than 50 national and international startups and SMEs applied to the program. Following a screening and selection process, 30 teams were chosen based on the technological potential of their solutions and their alignment with the requirements of the defense sector.
Training, regulation, and market access
Over a two-month period, the selected companies took part in an intensive training program covering topics such as access to the defense market, regulatory frameworks, public procurement, certification processes, technological scalability, and collaboration with institutional and industrial partners.
The program was supported by idD Portugal Defence and the Portuguese Cluster for the Aeronautics, Space, and Defence Industries (AED Cluster Portugal), alongside a network of national and international mentors and experts in defense and security.
Startup Leiria also positioned the accelerator as a “readiness facilitator” for European and NATO funding instruments, helping participating companies prepare their technology readiness levels and business models for applications to initiatives such as NATO DIANA, the NATO Innovation Fund, and the European Defence Fund (EDF).
Entry into deal flow and industry integration
The Demo Day marked the transition from the training phase to the business and investment phase, often referred to as “deal flow.”
At this stage, the selected projects gained access to a network of investors specialized in deep tech and defense and became part of Startup Leiria’s regional innovation portfolio, with continued access to program partners.
Startup Leiria highlighted several participating projects, including Rootkey, Complear, Excuibum, Wede, Unmanned Tools, and Legal Pythia.
In parallel, the organization has begun building a pipeline for the Defense Technological and Industrial Base, promoting direct interaction between program participants and major industrial integrators, particularly companies associated with the AED Cluster Portugal.
This work includes supplier qualification processes, support with certifications, and validation of startups’ delivery capacity, with the aim of reducing the perceived risk for large industry players when contracting emerging technologies.
Incubation and regional strategy
Startup Leiria has also started the physical and virtual incubation of several participating projects, providing infrastructure, intellectual property legal support, access to prototyping laboratories, and integration into the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The stated objective is to incubate between five and 10 new defense-related projects per year, retaining talent, technical skills, and economic value in the Leiria region.
The organization currently incubates 180 companies, five of which are already developing technologies with applications in the defense sector.
Positioning Portugal in the European ecosystem
According to Vítor Ferreira, general manager of Startup Leiria, the initiative demonstrates that Portugal has the talent and technological capacity to innovate in a highly demanding and strategic sector.
“This first edition marks only the beginning of a path that we want to consolidate,” he said, referring to the organization’s plans to continue the program and strengthen the presence of Portuguese and international startups in the European defense ecosystem.
Startup Leiria said it is now conducting a final assessment with its strategic partners to define the timing and scope of future editions, with the goal of turning the Defense Accelerator into a continuous and structured national program for innovation in defense technologies.
See also: Portugal’s Connect Robotics and Neuraspace selected for NATO accelerator program
Featured image: Vítor Ferreira, general manager of Startup Leiria (Photo courtesy of Startup Leiria)
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