Publication date: October 29, 2025
Modern technologies are currently shaping our position in the international arena and play a significant role in the security of citizens. Given the growing need to integrate the innovation sector with the security and defense system while simultaneously strengthening the commercial potential of Polish enterprises and research institutions, the Minister of Finance and Economy established the program by decision of August 14, 2025. It covers the years 2025–2029 and is titled “Support for Competencies in the Area of Dual-Use Innovation” based on Article 21a of the Act of 30 May 2008 on Certain Forms of Support for Innovative Activity (Journal of Laws of 2022, item 2474) for the implementation of the state’s innovation policy. This program focuses on supporting the development and commercialization of new dual-use technologies – civilian and military – due to many breakthrough technologies created for military purposes that have transformed life in civilization, such as the internet. The program has a strategic dimension; it is the first nationwide project of its kind focused on dual-use in Poland.
Dual-use technology, meaning technology with dual use for both civilian and military purposes, as defined in Article 2, point 1 of Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 of 5 May 2009 (e.g., semiconductors, navigation systems, autonomous systems, energy storage, cybersecurity solutions, quantum technologies). This means that its use may be peaceful, but may also have potential or direct applications in the production of weapons, defense systems, or other types of military equipment. An example of dual-use technology is the GPS system, which is useful both in civilian navigation and logistics, but also in precision missile guidance. Drones, on the other hand, can be used for parcel delivery or aerial photography, but also for reconnaissance or combat purposes. Another example of a similar initiative is the IDA program, initiated by the Polish Development Fund (PFR), supporting the development of dual-use technologies addressed to companies, startups, and research teams. This program is implemented through the IDA Bootcamp, which supports participants in developing their projects by offering mentoring, training, and access to resources. It helps startups and companies (including spin-offs and established companies) build credibility and secure financing and partnerships. Despite similarities between the two projects, the fundamental difference is the governmental and long-term nature of the program, funded by the Minister of Finance and Economy, for which approximately PLN 22 million has been allocated. The IDA, on the other hand, has no budget and operates cyclically. The primary goals of the government program are to build a diverse community of dual-use technology stakeholders, thereby raising awareness of the need for this technology and creating an active ecosystem of collaboration. Finding the right group of experts in this field to help implement these technologies. Strengthening defense-related competencies and providing comprehensive support for the commercialization of dual-use technologies from universities and research institutes. Furthermore, they aim to increase Poland’s involvement in international acceleration initiatives, i.e., expanding the participation of Polish entities in the NATO DIANA program, both through greater representation of Polish startups and active participation in hosting foreign teams, which will provide Poland with access to the defense market. Another initiative aimed at supporting Poland in the defense sector is the creation of the Security and Defense Fund (FBDF), which finances dual-use investments.
Their action plan includes strategic roads, shelters, port terminals, expanding production capacity, such as ammunition plants, and developing defense technologies such as AI, image reconnaissance, and electronics.
For example, a startup creating autonomous agricultural drones could, after acceleration, create a military version for reconnaissance, or a company specializing in AI logistics management could adapt its algorithm to support military equipment mobilization. Such independence could allow Poland to become independent from foreign suppliers of advanced technologies. Civilian technologies can be quickly adapted for military purposes, and industry and startups will be ready for a faster transition to war production. This program builds a bridge between the worlds of science and startups, and the real needs of the Ministry of National Defense and NATO.
Three competition tracks are planned, and application deadlines for each competition organized under the program will be announced successively on the Ministry of Technology and Technology’s dedicated website.
The first path is acceleration, a program that supports the dynamic development of startups working on technologies for both civilian and military applications. It provides comprehensive substantive assistance in the form of training and consulting, enables access to research and development facilities, allows for testing solutions in operational conditions, and enables establishing relationships with business partners and investors. Its goal is to accelerate the development of startups, and the program’s added value will be the acceleration of young, innovative foreign companies.
The second path is to build a network of mentors – this program aims to build a sustainable community of experts supporting the development of dual-use technologies. It involves recruiting and training mentors, creating a collaboration platform, organizing workshops and networking events, and engaging defense sector representatives in advisory activities. The result is a cohesive community supporting innovative projects and startups at all stages of development. The goal is to build a digital collaboration platform, providing access to a knowledge base, documentation, tools, a forum for exchanging experiences, and a system for matching mentors with project teams.
Finally, venture building is a program focused on building interdisciplinary teams and startups developing dual-use technologies from scratch. It offers comprehensive support—from the concept stage to commercialization – integrating competencies across science, technology, and business. Program participants have access to mentors, proven collaboration models, and an extensive network of contacts, which facilitates effective technology transfer from universities to the economic sector and increases the chances of market success. Furthermore, they are provided with extensive access to a network of industry contacts and potential recipients.
The program’s three pillars create a coherent and complementary support system for dual-use innovation. This structure enables projects to smoothly transition through subsequent development phases, providing them with access to key resources, know-how, and partnerships essential for the effective implementation and implementation of solutions. The initial phase is the venture building program, which focuses on creating startups and innovative projects from scratch. The acceleration program, on the other hand, can support the most promising teams and projects. The mentor network is an integral and permanent element of the entire ecosystem, as mentors support teams and startups at every stage of development. The program is targeted at entrepreneurs (particularly technology startups), accelerators/incubators, technology parks, other entities promoting economic innovation, universities, research institutes, scientific institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and other entities listed in Article 7, Section 1 of the Law on Higher Education and Science.