Ralph Wilkins, Innovation Partner for DASA, will be briefing techUK on the following. Ralph is an Innovation Partner for the Defence and Security Accelerator (within Dstl) responsible for building and maintaining DASA’s relationships with start-ups, SMEs, incubators, accelerators, university innovation and Third Sector organisations in London. Since joining DASA, Ralph has used his operational, R&D and transfer to operations expertise to help companies and academic institutions access £22m in defence innovation funding. 60% of these are SMEs.
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) finds and funds exploitable innovation for a safer future. With new initiatives to help SMEs develop innovative technology and enter the defence supply chain, this briefing from Ralph Wilkins provides practical guidance on accessing that funding and those services:
- Innovation Funding - funding to develop new technologies that advance defence and security capabilities.
- Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) - innovation funding that leverages existing defence suppliers as an exploitation pathway.
- Defence Loans and First Customer Fund - to provide financial assistance for exploitable developments.
Agenda:
- Presentation on DASA opportunities
- How to engage with DASA and the support provided
- Q&A
Fred Sugden
Fred Sugden
Fred is responsible for techUK's activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working to provide members with access to key stakeholders across the Defence and National Security community. Before taking on the role of Associate Director for Defence and National Security, Fred joined techUK in 2018, working as the Programme Head for Defence at techUK, leading the organisation's engagement with the Ministry of Defence. Before joining techUK, he worked at ADS, the national trade association representing Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space companies in the UK.
Fred is responsible for techUK’s market engagement and policy development activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working closely with various organisations within the Ministry of Defence, and across the wider National Security and Intelligence community. Fred works closely with many techUK member companies that have an interest in these sectors, and is responsible for the activities of techUK's senior Defence & Security Board. Working closely with techUK's Programme Head for Cyber Security, Fred oversees a broad range of activities for techUK members.
Outside of work, Fred's interests include football (a Watford FC fan) and skiing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07985 234 170
