Australian Defence Industry Incubator
About AUSDII
AUSDII, the Australian Defence Industry Incubator, will be a not-for-profit national incubator focused on supporting, validating and scaling Australian early-stage defence and dual-use companies to transform concepts into real-world sovereign Defence capability.
MISSION
AUSDII’s mission is to grow the pipeline of innovative Australian companies by equipping early-stage companies with the knowledge, skills and connections to become successful in the local and global Defence markets.
Australia’s commercialisation engine for Defence and dual-use technologies
AUSDII is built on the three-year proven track-record of success of the Defence Trailblazer’s award winning DINAMIC incubation program and is modelled on successful international exemplars that support allied nation’s defence capability such as DEFENSEWERX, NATO DIANA, BlueForge Alliance and Brave1.
AUSDII will deliver a structured defence-focused incubation program strengthening Australia’s sovereign capabilities aligned with Defence’s strategic growth areas and dual-use technologies including advanced cyber, space and electronic warfare; artificial intelligence and autonomous and uncrewed systems; hypersonics and counter-hypersonics; quantum technologies; and surface and sub-surface warfare.
Why is AUSDII needed?
Australia’s strategic environment demands faster, more agile and integrated approaches to Defence capability development. With Australia facing its most threatening strategic circumstances since World War II together with the deepening economic asymmetries seen in modern warfare, the need to grow early-stage companies to deliver innovative technologies is increasingly critical. AUSDII is the missing link needed in Australia’s defence capability pipeline.
While Australia hosts several innovation incubators, there is no dedicated defence and national security- incubator program that supports Australian early-stage companies developing defence capability.
AUSDII closes a critical gap between technology concept and Defence adoption by connecting innovators and early-stage companies with capability end-users, industry experts, technical capability providers, investors, and global networks.
AUSDII will uplift and de-risk early-stage companies to ensure these companies are ready to support Defence.
AUSDII’s Ecosystem
AUSDII’s commercialisation engine will comprise of an ecosystem of participants, trusted delivery partners and end-users that will work together to support the incubation, validation and scaling of early-stage companies to grow the pipeline of innovative Australian defence capabilities.
Participants
AUSDII program participants will be innovators with defence or dual use technologies at Technology Readiness Levels 1-6 including but not limited to entrepreneurs, veteran-founded companies, start-ups, scale ups, SMEs, as well as spinouts and teams from universities and R&D entities such as CSIRO, CRCs & DRCs and ADSUN.
Trusted Delivery Partners
- Mentors and experts
- Australian Defence-focused investors
- Technical Capability providers
- Universities
- DSTG
- Australian National Fabrication Facility
- CSIRO
- Industry partners
End-Users
- Australian Defence and National Security Agencies
- Industry including system integrators and dual-use sectors
- Defence Primes-particularly GSC program participants
- International Partners-AUKUS and FVEY
Programs
AUSDII will support early-stage defence and dual-use companies with a range of support and programs to help validate and scale.
Innovation Program
Activities will include workshops, bootcamps and structured programs to support commercial, technical, defence, investment and export readiness. The program will engage partners, mentors, experts and investors.
This program is based on the Defence Trailblazer DINAMIC Innovation Program and informed by international exemplars including DEFENSEWERX, NATO DIANA and Blue Forge Alliance.
Operational Demonstrations and Trials
Activities focused on demonstrating and trialling solutions with capability end-users in operational environments. It is envisaged that some of these trials may be with international partners through AUKUS and FVEY arrangements.
Workforce Program
Connecting tertiary and/or vocational education students in internships and work placements to support early-stage companies’ product development and trials.
Governance model
AUSDII will operate as an independent not‑for‑profit entity with strong governance, probity and security arrangements appropriate to Defence‑related activity.
AUSDII will have an independent Board with Defence, industry, investment and innovation expertise.
Funding model
AUSDII will be funded through long‑term partner contributions, in‑kind support and program‑related revenue.
AUSDII partners will be drawn from the Commonwealth and State Governments, private capital partners, defence-focussed universities, defence industry, trusted international partners and consulting/advisory firms.
AUSDII will not take equity in participating companies.
Partner Value Proposition
Partners engaging with AUSDII gain:
- Early visibility of emerging defence and dual‑use innovations
- Structured pathways to engage with validated, investment‑ready companies
- Opportunities to shape capability development aligned to operational needs
- Access to a national network spanning government, academia, industry and investors
- Contribution to Australia’s long‑term national security and economic resilience.
Partnerships may include collaboration on program delivery, mentoring, technical support, translation projects, trials, commercial pathways, investment and global market access.
Partnership Tiers
AUSDII offers four partnership tiers – Founding Partner, Strategic Partner, Core Partner and Supporting Partner – representing different contributions, roles and benefits. The Founding Partner tier is reserved for key contributors to the Defence Trailblazer from which AUSDII has emerged: Adelaide University (AU), the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the Australian Government and other early supporters by agreement.
3-4 Foundation Partners
ROLE
- Provide strategic guidance during establishment and ongoing operations
- Facilitate AUSDII operationalisation with funding, in-kind support and IP access
- Enable program, project and partnership pathways for participants
BENEFITS
- Opportunity to host an AUSDII hub
- Opportunity to nominate for a Board position
- Meaningful influence over strategic direction and priorities during establishment and ongoing operations
- High-visibility strategic branding and positioning
- Priority access to programs for eligible stakeholders
- Priority access to collaboration opportunities
- Direct engagement with end-users, investors, and other ecosystem partners
3-4 Strategic Partners
ROLE
- Shape program priorities, investment approaches and strategic initiatives
- Contribute strategic capability, industry expertise and market insight
- Support commercialisation, scaling and market entry pathways
BENEFITS
- Opportunity to host an AUSDII hub
- Opportunity to nominate for a Board position
- Meaningful influence over strategic direction and priorities
- Preferential access to programs for eligible stakeholders
- Early access to emerging technologies, investible companies and supply chain partners
10 Core Partners
ROLE
- Contribute specialist expertise and in-kind capability
- Build ecosystem capability through targeted program and project involvement
- Support adoption through collaborative projects, pilots and trials
BENEFITS
- Strong strategic positioning within the ecosystem
- Early access to commercial, partnership and supply chain opportunities
- Access to talent, capability and technical expertise
15 Supporting Partners
ROLE
- Provide contextual insight and focused in-kind support to program participants
- Contribute to capability building through targeted program and project involvement
- Strengthen early-stage companies through mentoring, coaching and advisory input
BENEFITS
- Improved visibility and recognition
- Business and product opportunities
- Strengthened market credibility and workforce outcomes
How to Get Involved
AUSDII is actively engaging prospective partners across defence and national security, industry, research, investment and government.
AUSDII welcomes discussions with organisations seeking to contribute to Australia’s sovereign capability, strengthen national resilience and support the next generation of defence‑relevant innovation.
Contact Sanjay Mazumdar, smazumdar@dtb.solutions to discuss AUSDII partnership opportunities
Register your interest now to receive program updates including information about upcoming industry briefings.