Source type: Organizational press release (NATO DIANA). This review copy converts the release’s future-tense, pre-event framing into past tense for accuracy after the event dates. No outcomes, awards, attendance figures, or booth results beyond the release text have been added.
Dateline (event, as stated in release): Tampa, Florida — 19–21 May 2026
NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) participated in SOF Week 2026, supporting a group of NATO-aligned innovators whose technologies address real-world challenges faced by Special Operations Forces (SOF).
Jointly sponsored by U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Global SOF Foundation, SOF Week is a leading international forum for the SOF community, bringing together operators, government, industry, and partners to explore emerging capabilities and operational needs.
DIANA’s presence at SOF Week reflects the critical role Special Operations Forces play as early adopters of new technology. Operating in demanding, high-risk environments, SOF units often identify, test, and integrate innovative solutions ahead of wider military adoption — helping accelerate capability development across the armed forces.
At SOF Week 2026, DIANA supported innovators exhibiting at the NATO DIANA booth (2611) and within Accelerator Alley, presenting technologies that have been tested, validated, and matured through NATO DIANA’s innovation ecosystem. Per the release, the NATO DIANA booth also featured three portfolio companies from the NATO Innovation Fund, a venture capital fund to invest in startups developing technologies with potential military or defense applications.
Innovators listed as exhibiting with NATO DIANA (Booth 2611 at Tampa Convention Centre, Level 1), as named in the release:
- Kelluu
- TACTIQL
- EDGE
- Wayren
- Kinnami
- Mannity
- IS-Wireless
- ARX (NIF)
- Stark (NIF)
- Tekever (NIF)
Accelerator Alley — Marriott Water Street, Level 2 (as listed in the release):
- Swaza
- Microamp Solutions
- Quantropi
- GIM Robotics
- Ping DSP
- Deep Breathe
- SkyFI
- StrateSea Technology
- ARCANI
- TERN
Through its accelerator programme, test centre network, and integrated participation in NATO and Allied exercises and operational experimentation, NATO DIANA works with Allies, end users, and industry to reduce technical risk, validate performance, and accelerate adoption of dual-use technologies. By supporting innovators at SOF Week, DIANA aims to help bridge the gap between promising solutions and operational use — within SOF and beyond.
Media attending SOF Week were encouraged to visit the DIANA Booth to learn more about these innovators and explore opportunities for follow-up discussions and interviews.
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Media contact (from release):
John Brannen Communications Officer John.Brannen@diana.nato.int
Available for comment (from release):
Leading NATO DIANA’s team at SOF Week is Chief Commercial Officer Ryan Benitez. Her work involves engagement with industry and venture capital to commercialise and scale dual-use startups across NATO, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies for both commercial markets and the warfighter. She brings deep credibility from prior experience spanning U.S. national security, venture capital, and technology acceleration. including advising and investing in early-stage companies, scaling accelerator programs for the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Energy, and serving as a U.S. Navy officer.