The Dutch government recently introduced a new funding instrument for technological innovations with civilian and military applications: the Security Fund (SecFund). The aim of the innovation fund is to support start-ups, scale-ups and innovative SMEs with seed capital that are working on solutions that meet the innovation needs of the Dutch armed forces.
The fund’s budget is set to increase from the current 25 million euros to 100 million euros this year, as State Secretary for Defense, Gijs Tuinman, explained at the presentation.
Focus on future technologies
One example of eligible technologies is LiFi – wireless optical data transmission, which is faster than WLAN and can transfer significantly more data per second. Other eligible developments include modern radio technologies and intelligent drone systems.
Companies can now submit funding applications to SecFund. According to the Dutch Ministry of Defense, 100 companies have already expressed their interest.
The first company to receive an investment from the SecFund is the drone manufacturer Tective from Delft. The start-up has developed a system for the automated control of swarms of drones that can be used to efficiently map and monitor large areas – such as border regions or critical infrastructure.
Securing technological superiority
In view of the current geopolitical situation, the Ministry of Defense is increasingly relying on cooperation with Dutch industrywhere technological developments are progressing rapidly. According to a recent press release from the Ministry of Defense, it is “crucial for the innovative strength and combat capability of the armed forces to keep pace with this dynamic”.
The SecFund is intended to enable companies to bring their technologies to operational maturity more quickly – and thus make them directly available to soldiers. State Secretary Tuinman emphasizes: “In order to provide our soldiers with the best possible equipment, we need the most innovative minds and companies in the country. The SecFund gives start-ups and scale-ups a powerful boost – and thus makes an important contribution to national security.”
