Companies funded by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) have generated nearly £1 billion in economic value in the last few years, a new report has found.

Conducted by Beauhurst, the independent research highlights how DASA’s support for innovative small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has delivered benefits for both national security and economic growth.

The report and its findings were announced by Rt Hon John Healey, secretary of state for defence, during an address at the London Stock Exchange.

In addition to uncovering that DASA-funded firms have generated £972 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) between 2019 and 2023, the report also found companies that received DASA funding secured an additional £592 million in equity investment. In 2024 alone, DASA-supported firms raised £174 million.

Further, the research discovered many DASA-funded SMEs are actively engaged in both domestic and international markets, while also creating around 1,800 new jobs.

DASA leverages science and technology expertise from the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory to fast-track innovative ideas.

One of the companies featured in the report as a standout success is Calyo, a Bristol-based electronics company which develops sensor systems using ultrasound technology to provide perception and vision capabilities.

The firm’s technology is set to help transform the sensor-enabled mobile robotics industry with its applications in unmanned systems for the defence sector.

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“The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is proud to be a key enabler for innovation,” said head of DASA, Anita Friend. “This Beauhurst report demonstrates DASA’s real-world impact on UK defence, security and economic growth, and highlights the importance of DASA’s work.”

“DASA is committed to fostering innovation and supporting economic growth and by seeking and nurturing novel solutions from idea to impact DASA helps keep the UK safe and secure, ensuring defence and security capabilities remain second to none and supporting the government’s commitment to ensure the UK is a leader in defence innovation,” added Friend.

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