Hourglass is among only 150 companies worldwide selected by NATO for the exclusive DIANA technology accelerator
Hourglass Medical is excited to share that we have been selected for the NATO DIANA 2026 Challenge Programme Cohort. This year’s DIANA Challenge drew more than 3,600 applicants worldwide, with only 150 companies earning selection. We are proud to be among them.
Our patented solution, FRAIM, is a rugged, head-worn telemedicine system designed for hands-free operation in austere environments and was selected in the Human Resilience and Biotechnologies call area. Equipped with a ruggedized HUD, cameras, and 2-way audio, FRAIM provides first-person telemedicine capabilities for critical care providers, and serves as a forward-deployed communication and data node empowering medics with real-time situational awareness and access to remote clinical expertise.
DIANA gives us direct access to defense expertise, operational test centers, and mission communities across NATO. Working with these partners, we will refine FRAIM, validate its performance in real-world conditions, and accelerate its path toward operational adoption.
We look forward to sharing updates as we advance through the DIANA program in the coming months.
We are honored to contribute to DIANA’s mission.
Below is the official press release.
NATO DIANA Announces Largest-Ever Cohort: 150 Innovators Selected
Across Ten Challenge Areas for 2026 Challenge Programme
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LONDON (10 December 2025) – NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North
Atlantic (DIANA) today announced the selection of 150 pioneering companies from
24 NATO countries to participate in the 2026 Challenge Programme.
NATO DIANA connects companies with military end-users, mentors, and investors,
accelerating the development, validation, and adoption of their innovations to help NATO
tackle urgent operational challenges and maintain a decisive edge in defence technology.
The selected innovators will participate in NATO DIANA’s Accelerator Programme to
develop their dual-use technologies to address ten critical defence and security
challenges, including advanced communications and contested electromagnetic
environments, autonomy and unmanned systems, energy and power, biotech and human
resilience, and critical infrastructure and logistics. Starting in January 2026, the
selected companies will receive contractual funding and gain access to DIANA’s
expanding network of 16 accelerator sites and more than 200 test centres across
the 32 NATO nations.
“DIANA’s mission is to find the most innovative companies, help them
advance their solutions and grow their business, and get the
technologies we need into the hands of NATO operators. Over the next
year, these innovators will accelerate breakthrough technologies that
can help to transform how the Alliance defends against current and
emerging threats,” said James Appathurai, Interim Managing Director of
NATO DIANA.
NATO DIANA offers innovators a unique combination of testing opportunities,
expert mentorship and operational insight through a network of accelerator
sites and test centres across the Alliance. DIANA provides real-world validation
and opens rapid adoption and commercial pathways across all NATO nations, in
support of the Alliance’s mission to safeguard the freedom and security of its
one billion citizens.
The full list of innovator companies selected for the cohort can be found here.
Quick facts about the NATO DIANA 2026 Innovators Cohort
• DIANA is announcing the next round of companies that will join its
2026 Challenge Programme.
• DIANA received a record of 3,680 submissions from companies across NATO
member states for this year’s challenge call.
• Each company will receive contractual funding and will join one of 16 DIANA-
affiliated accelerators based throughout the Alliance.
• They will be working on solutions across 10 challenges areas drawn from key
priorities identified by Allies. They are:
o Energy and Powero Advanced Communication Technologies
o Contested Electromagnetic Environments
o Human Resilience and Biotechnologies
o Critical Infrastructure and Logistics
o Operations in Extreme Environments
o Maritime Operations
o Resilient Space Operations
o Autonomy and Unmanned Systems
o Data Assisted Decision Making
More information about the challenges can be found at DIANA | Challenges. For any
questions on DIANA’s announcement, media or guidelines, please
contact press@diana.nato.int.
MORE ABOUT NATO DIANA
NATO DIANA finds and accelerates cutting-edge technologies to deliver battle-winning
defence and security solutions for the Alliance, while fostering deep-tech innovation. As a
cornerstone of NATO’s innovation and technology strategy, DIANA brings together world-
class talent and the latest advancements to maintain the Alliance’s technological edge.
Leveraging a network of leading accelerator sites, test centres, expert mentors, and
Allied expertise across 32 nations, DIANA empowers innovators working at the
intersection of defence readiness, commercial potential, and technological
breakthroughs.