Advancing Dorset in Defence, Security and Innovation

Dorset has a thriving Defence and security sector and it's set to get a further boost when the Ministry of Defence BattleLab opens at Dorset Innovation Park in autumn - a result of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the MOD and Dorset Council's combined £5.7m Investment. 

Leading up to the lab gaining operational status, Dorset LEP are providing a virtual preview on 28 May, 10am-12pm. Join us for an overview of the BattleLab and to hear about the range of business support available for Dorset’s SMEs working in, or looking to diversify into, the defence and security sector. This will include hearing from both Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth about their industry engagement programmes as well as funding opportunities available through the national Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). 

The full event programme will be published shortly, but will include:

• The Battle Lab (based at Dorset Innovation Park)
  Capt. Edward Ebbern, Head of Innovation, British Army.
• Funding innovation in Defence and Security: Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA)
  Mike Madden, Innovation Partner for South West England.
• Supporting SME Innovation
  Lucy Devall, Innovation and Executive Education Manager, Arts University Bournemouth. 
• Security & Privacy by Design
  Dr Duncan Ki-Aries, Cyber Security Research Group, Bournemouth University.  

Who should attend? 

• Businesses - both Dorset-based and those from further afield - that are interested in working with, or in, the defence and security sector
• Businesses looking to establish a presence in Dorset or partner with Dorset businesses/organisations
• Investors and entrepreneurs
• Academics working with industry partners

The Ministry of Defence BattleLab aligns with our SMART investment portfolio which is at the heart of our Dorset Living Better Prospectus. The SMART investment portfolio focuses on how technology and data can drive connectivity and sustainable regeneration and economic development across Dorset, improving the lives of local residents and generating value for people, businesses and places. The BattleLab aligns with this by allowing the Ministry of Defence to work directly with academic institutions, defence contractors, small and medium sized businesses and wider industry to develop new products and technologies which could be commercialised.

Sign up to the Advancing Dorset in Defence, Security and Innovation Event.