Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence + (EFD+)
Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence+ (EFD+), a part of the DINAMIC Program, has been developed as an extended 12-week program in 2026.
Designed to support researchers, innovators and emerging companies with products, services or technology that can provide a capability benefit to our Defence sector, EFD+ will help you understand what is required for success in the defence market.
Delivered through a mixture of online and in-person sessions, participants gain essential insights to build defence, technology and commercial readiness, along with access to expert mentors and technical specialists.
The program concludes with an opportunity for participants to showcase their innovation(s), in person, to relevant people within the defence market and the venture capital investment community. There will also be a $10,000 grant for each participant in the program to support travel to in-person sessions, and some early-stage business expenses.
APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 30 June 2026 at 5pm AEST
Hear more about participating venture UndaTech and their EFD experience:
Program features
Tailored bi-weekly webinars
Presented by industry experts, the programs includes webinars delivered twice a week that are tailored to address your specific technical, commercial and defence readiness needs
In-person sessions
Three in-person 2-day and 3-day sessions spread across the 12-week program that will bring the cohort together to develop core capability in areas such as technology development strategy, business model development and defence readiness.
Dedicated mentorship
Weekly meetings with a dedicated mentor to help keep you on track and meet your specific needs
Proto-Lab access
Access to a unique Proto-Lab network incorporating selected university and partner facilities, equipment and capabilities along with technical support.
Defence-focused networks
Access to experienced defence, defence industry and investment networks
Access grant funding
Opportunity to apply for additional grant funding to support technical and commercial development
Socialise your innovation
A number of opportunities to socialise your innovation and business with those that can add value to your commercialisation pathway: investors, collaborators, SMEs and primes
Connect with like-minded peers
Excellent opportunity to network with innovation and defence peers
I would highly recommend the Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence program; especially for dual Defence and commercial go-to-market. The term sheet negotiation skills were invaluable. We’re meeting with the Department of Defence next week and collaborating with another participating venture from the program.
Martin Hamilton
Solalinx
Wholeheartedly recommend the Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence program. The Tech Road Map was instrumental in helping us reassess our Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). We're now in discussions with a company specialising in reactive substances testing, as well as a government agency. Through EFD, we’ve reconnected with previous Defence partners, opening new opportunities for collaboration.
Gerrard ‘Eddy’ Poinern
Frontier Materials Technologies
I personally appreciate being included and given the opportunity to present on the floor alongside everyone. It gave us a truly amazing platform.
Thank you for all the effort the team put in to produce what I thought was an impressive showing of novel Australian SMEs in defence.
Richard Urwin
Founder, Taipan Technologies
I am already recommending the Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence program to everyone I talk to. The workshops helped us prepare our business for Defence engagement, and our connections with AUS and US Defence have significantly increased.
Sam ‘Bones’ Rathbone
Aquila
I would be highly likely to recommend the Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence program for dual-case businesses. The program was run professionally and efficiently. We have a meeting scheduled with Defence’s clean energy transition team and strong interest from other Defence contacts.
Sylvia Tokic
Electro Base
I would be extremely likely to recommend the Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence program. During the Canberra intensive, the term sheet negotiations and hearing Seitec’s experience were invaluable. Since the Canberra Showcase on August 1st, I’ve had meetings with a government agency and may be adopted into their innovative technology program. This course has been a game-changer.
Michael Turnbull
Privacy Seal
2026 Key dates
- 10 June: Applications open
- 30 June: Applications close
- 10 August: Final program details released
- 25 August: Program commences
- 25 August: Kick-off webinar (online)
- 3 – 5 Sept: On-site session in Adelaide
- 6 – 7 Oct: On-site session in Sydney
- 10 – 12 Nov: On-site session in Canberra
- 12 Nov: Participant Showcase to Industry
- 12 Nov: Program concludes
Please note: the above dates may be subject to change.
Eligibility & additional information
Please note the following requirements for your application.
- You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- You have the necessary rights to commercialise the Intellectual Property associated with your research idea, innovation or technology
- You are (or will be) eligible to apply for Australian Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) accreditation to a level appropriate to your proposal
- You must not be precluded under the requirements of the Defence Policy for Industry Participation
- A business entity resulting from this activity must be majority Australian-owned
- Commitment to provide end-of-program financial reconciliation against eligible expenditure is required.
Recommended Reading
Defence Trailblazer has won at the Australian Defence & National Security Workforce Awards 2026
Defence Trailblazer’s DINAMIC innovation & entrepreneurship program has taken out the Best Training & Development Program at the Australian Defence & National Security Workforce Awards 2026. The program has been recognised for its role in training Australian researchers and innovators to navigate the pathway from emerging venture to Defence capability.
Defence Trailblazer launches fresh innovation program for defence industry entrepreneurs
Defence Trailblazer is excited to launch its DINAMIC Innovation & Entrepreneurship program for 2026. After two successful cycles of DINAMIC, this year’s program will support a fresh cohort of innovators from academia, industry and Defence to pursue defence industry market opportunities.
Defence Trailblazer fast-tracking new technologies to help Defence and industry transition to clean energy
Defence Trailblazer is actively working with our industry partners in support of the Australian Government transition to Net Zero, funding a range of projects to develop emissions-reducing technologies to accelerate Defence’s transition to clean energy set out in the Defence Future Energy Strategy. The projects will also bolster the advanced manufacturing sector – supporting the energy transition while maintaining economic competitiveness.