BAE Systems has launched a new incubator programme designed to take technologies developed for defence and commercialise them into other sectors.
The programme, called BAE Systems Launchpad, will support dual-use technologies, providing startups with access to customers across a broader range of sectors, such as energy and advanced manufacturing.
Launchpad was created in part to align the defence giant’s incubation activities with the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which called for “constant innovation at wartime pace”.
“BAE Systems has long been a leader in UK research and development and Launchpad represents an exciting evolution in how innovation is taken forwards,” said Julian Cracknell, chief technology and information officer at BAE Systems.
“It allows us to bring to market agile start-ups that are increasingly vital to sectors beyond defence, including energy and advanced manufacturing. It helps more people use the innovative technology being developed by some of the smartest brains in the UK.”
The first company supported by the programme is Rho-C, which is using technology originally developed for use in submarines to enable the transmission of power and data through solid materials.
“BAE Systems Launchpad has given us a highly effective, mature technology that we can quickly turn into a product,” said Rob Malkin, chief technology officer at Rho-C.
“We are currently working on our first operational unit, which would never have happened this fast without BAE Systems’ support.
“They have given us access to their technology experts as well as help to set up and run our new company. We have got a huge amount of interest from our first prospective customers and an exciting first year ahead of us.”
