The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) was launched in December 2016. DASA seeks out and funds innovative ideas that benefit National Safety. In Scotland 47 projects have been funded to a tune of £6.6M. They have employ approximately 60.
We spoke to Debra Carr: “I’m Deb Carr and I’m the Innovation Partner for Scotland. I live in beautiful Perthshire and moved here 18-months ago. My role is to advertise DASA funding opportunities and to work with innovators to identify mutual areas of interest.”
Deb told us why she would like to DASA to feature as member of the week: “I know that the Highlands and Islands is full of innovative people and I want to bring DASA to their attention as a possible source of funding.”
DASA would like to shout about their funding opportunities. Deb told ICC: “we run Themed Competitions and our Open Call for Innovation. These are all advertised on our web site (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-and-security-accelerator), LinkedIn and Twitter.”
The Open Call runs all year in Cycles (roughly every two months). DASA run several Themed Competitions a year, so it is always worth keeping your eyes open.
We asked Deb about DASA’s business plans over the coming 12 months: “DASA Scotland has exciting plans over the next year for events in the Shetland Islands, Caithness, Inverness, Moray and the Orkney Islands.”
Deb told us about her awards and commendations: “I was nominated for the Women in Defence Awards in 2018 and for the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards in 2019. DASA is a member of the Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (IKE).”
We asked Deb what she values most about her Inverness Chamber membership: “Opportunities to connect with other members”.
Deb shared her top-tip for other Inverness Chamber members to make the most of their membership: “It’s good to talk!”
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-and-security-accelerator
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DASAccelerator
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/defence-and-security-accelerator/