PNW MAC in Seattle, Washington, to collaborate on transatlantic national security challenges in emerging and disruptive technologies.

The Pacific Northwest Mission Acceleration Center (PNW MAC) is one of the two inaugural U.S.-based accelerators selected to harness cutting-edge technology for transatlantic security and defense in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA).

The PNW MAC opened in Fall 2021 with founding partners Navy Tech Bridge, National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), Impact Washington, and the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition (PNDC).

“The concept of the MAC is to provide a single point of physical entry for industry, venture capital, and academia to connect with the defense community. The Pacific Northwest MAC is uniquely positioned to advance NATO security and defense with its proximity to tremendous talent, technology, and a supportive defense innovation ecosystem. Being selected as one of the first U.S.-based accelerators in the NATO DIANA program is validation of the impact our partnership is having,” said Cheryl Ingstad, NSIN Managing Director.

NATO launched DIANA in 2021 to develop a unique and diverse transatlantic innovation ecosystem to strengthen the foundation of innovative talent and technology among NATO Allies. Since its inception, the DIANA network of affiliated accelerators and test centers has grown to more than 100 sites spread across almost all Allied countries. The PNW MAC is one of two premiere accelerators in the United States for innovators to collaborate with DoD offices on transatlantic defense technology.

At the PNW MAC, innovators will have opportunities to enhance and accelerate transatlantic cooperation on dual-use technologies across numerous emerging technology areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), next generation communications, robotics, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and biotechnology.

“The diverse geographic locations of these [NATO DIANA] sites will enable us to collaborate with the best and brightest innovators across the Alliance to design cutting-edge technological solutions to specific defence and security challenges,” said David Van Weel, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges.

DIANA anticipates launching the first call for innovator proposals in early summer of this year.

In addition to the PNW MAC, the MassChallenge accelerator in Boston was selected for NATO DIANA.

NATO DIANA Accelerator Sites | March 2023

NATO DIANA Accelerator Sites as of March 2023

About National Security Innovation Network

NSIN is a government program office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OSD(R&E)) that collaborates with major universities and the venture community to develop solutions that drive national security innovation. We operate two portfolios of programs and services: Talent and Venture. Together, these portfolios form a pipeline of activities and solutions that accelerate the pace of defense innovation.

About the Pacific Northwest Mission Acceleration Center

The PNW MAC™’s goal is to remove barriers to engagement and accelerate defense innovation, serving as the center of gravity for the Pacific Northwest startup and venture communities, academia, and local and federal partners, to support the Department of Defense. Launching with Navy Tech Bridge, National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), Impact Washington, and Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition (PNDC) support, this community will allow for both formal collaboration and the serendipitous innovation or “coffee pot collaboration” that comes from bringing people together.