Halifax primed to lead NATO tech innovation initiative

At the centre of Nova Scotia’s marine tech ecosystem is COVE, a world-leading innovation centre and global tech hub with a mission to create the world’s next commercial and revolutionary tech advances. With wharves, machine shops, in-water labs, co-working space, programming, and access to talent, COVE offers everything needed for marine tech companies to grow and for new ventures to prosper. 

COVE has 40-plus defence-related businesses resident on-site and has 200 companies that participate in programs and services being offered, including many defence-connected tech companies in land, sea, and air. 

COVE is already partnered with companies in the United Kingdom, Northern Europe, and the United States for venture development, scaling of businesses, and testing and validation. Our direct connection to DIANA hubs in European countries along with our established network of innovators, accelerators, venture funds, and government leaders give COVE the existing skillset in program delivery to support a quick deployment of the Canadian program under DIANA. 

It can’t be overlooked that the strength of the innovation ecosystem in Halifax is bolstered by the highest concentration of military assets in Canada with an established industrial defence supply chain that invest in research and development. Our tech industry has thousands of start-ups and SMEs, several incubators, world-class specialized test labs in advanced materials, batteries and autonomy, and access to a strong STEM talent pool through Nova Scotia’s 11 academic institutions. Global connectivity is well-embedded within the ecosystem with decades of experience working with partners around the world.

Halifax is also directly connected to the North Atlantic, and thus NATO, by the ocean that separates us. Furthermore, our natural gateway to the Arctic has served to drive innovation, positioning us internationally on issues of sovereignty, climate change, and surveillance. The combination of these factors position Halifax as the natural home for the Regional Office for North America, one of the North American-based accelerators and possibly a maritime test center. 

The DIANA partnership will result in investment attraction, economic development opportunities, increased Canadian research capabilities, and accelerated commercialization. It is expected to bring tangible benefits to Canadian industry and the defence technology sector by encouraging participation from Canadian companies, existing accelerators, and academic and research institutions. It would also provide Canadian industry with a direct link to research and funding collaboration, as well as technological exchange with commercial partners and governments across 30 Euro-Atlantic allies. 

Should Halifax be selected, the DIANA Regional Office is expected to bring roughly 50 to 60 NATO jobs and will offer growth opportunities for local and homegrown companies. Allies have also agreed to a framework for a multinational NATO Innovation Fund. The world’s first multi-sovereign venture capital fund will invest at least 1 billion in early-stage start-ups and other deep tech funds aligned with its strategic objectives. Not only will Halifax’s advantages benefit NATO Allies and the success of DIANA, it will have a direct impact on the advancement of innovation within Canada. 

The opportunity to host the regional office and the DIANA program in Halifax will generate the best ecosystem for defence innovation in the world. With our existing world-class, deep-tech expertise, high concentration of military assets, and established connectivity along the Eastern Seaboard and across the Atlantic, Halifax’s innovation ecosystem and COVE stand ready to support the delivery of the DIANA program—further establishing Canada as a global deep technology leader in the process.