Recruitment for IDA Bootcamp 2026 has started. The Polish Development Fund (PFR) and the Ministry of National Defence invite startups, researchers, and companies developing dual-use technologies.
Direct contact with the military and the defense industry, product validation with future users, expert support, and the opportunity to present solutions in a near-operational environment – these are the opportunities awaiting participants of IDA Bootcamp 2026. The program has opened recruitment across three thematic tracks aimed at startups, technology companies, and research teams developing innovations for the security and defense sector. Applications can be submitted until July 13.
New technologies are increasingly being developed outside the traditional defense sector. Innovations originally created for civilian markets are now finding key applications in security, national resilience, and defense. IDA Bootcamp was created with such solutions in mind – an acceleration program by the Polish Development Fund (PFR) that helps teams developing dual-use technologies validate their potential in practice and prepare them for implementation.
“IDA Bootcamp is a program for teams that want to confront their technologies with real challenges reported by the military and industry. We connect innovators with end users, industry experts, and investors to shorten the path from idea to practical application. This year, we are also strengthening the validation phase – the best teams will be able to present their solutions during a Demo Show organized in cooperation with the DIANA NATO Living Lab,” says Paweł Huras, Director of the Innovation Development Department at PFR.
What do participants gain?
Participation in the program is free. Selected teams will receive the opportunity to:
- collaborate directly with representatives of the Polish Armed Forces, public institutions, and the defense industry,
- validate their technologies against real operational needs,
- consult with technological, military, and business experts,
- take part in meetings with venture capital funds interested in dual-use technologies,
- present their solutions during the final Demo Show organized in cooperation with DIANA NATO Living Lab.
The program is held under the patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence and is supported by key partners from the public, military, and industrial sectors. These include, among others, the Polish Navy, General Command of the Armed Forces, Cyber Defence Forces Component Command, Special Forces Component Command, Geospatial Intelligence and Satellite Services Agency, Armament Agency, BAE Systems, PGE Baltica, Lockheed Martin, Revobeam, Orange, MBDA, and ICEYE. The development of the most promising projects is also supported by venture capital funds specializing in dual-use technologies, such as Balnord, Expeditions Fund, and OTB Ventures. This year’s technological partner is CloudFerro, while the program is implemented by the Kraków Technology Park and the Gdańsk Science and Technology Park.
Three tracks addressing real security challenges
This year’s edition includes three thematic tracks. The recruitment process has been simplified – teams apply to a selected thematic area that includes several specific technological challenges. Approximately 15 top teams will be selected for each track.
- Infrastructure Resilience (October 26–28, Gdańsk) responds to growing hybrid threats in the Baltic region. The track focuses on the security of critical maritime infrastructure, seeking monitoring systems, anomaly detection solutions, and autonomous surface and underwater vehicles.
- Aero Shield (October 14–16, Kraków) focuses on the effectiveness of unmanned systems (UAVs) and counter-drone solutions (C-UAS). A key requirement is resilience to electronic warfare (EW) interference and the ability to operate in environments without GPS signal or cloud connectivity.
- Situational Intelligence (September 28–30, Gdańsk) addresses informational and cognitive warfare. It includes AI-based tools capable of detecting disinformation and manipulation in real time, OSINT systems, and advanced satellite and geospatial data analytics.
IDA ecosystem – from idea to NATO DIANA
The entire structure of the IDA (Innovation Development Accelerator) program has been designed as a complete development path for technologies – from concept to commercialization.
The process begins with hackathons under IDA Discovery, aimed at selecting and identifying the most promising talents at an early stage. Selected teams then move to IDA Bootcamp – an intensive phase of workshops and direct sessions with experts, defense sector representatives, and venture capital funds. The final stage is IDA Verify, focused on commercialization. This is where the best solutions undergo quasi-operational testing within the DIANA NATO Living Lab and gain the opportunity to collaborate with VC funds.
Recruitment for IDA Bootcamp 2026 runs until July 13, 2026. Teams interested in participating can apply via the recruitment form.
Application form: IDA Bootcamp 2026 – Responsly
Program website: https://startup.pfr.pl/program/ida-bootcamp-2026
