Gowling WLG is proud to announce its participation in the DIANA Legal Connect Network, a NATO-led initiative supporting dual-use innovators at the intersection of commercial technology and defence capability.
DIANA – the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic – is a flagship NATO programme designed to accelerate emerging and disruptive technologies that address critical defence, security, and resilience challenges. With offices in London, UK, Halifax, Canada, and Tallinn, Estonia, NATO DIANA connects innovators with a powerful ecosystem of accelerators, test centres, mentors, and investors across all 32 NATO member states.
As a Legal Connect Network partner, Gowling WLG will provide expert legal guidance to start-ups and scale-ups participating in the DIANA innovation pipeline. This includes support on intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance, commercial structuring, and market entry strategies across NATO jurisdictions. The firm will also collaborate with other legal partners across the Alliance to share insights, strengthen legal support frameworks, and champion ethical, scalable innovation.
Elizabeth Williams, Partner and Head of Aviation, Aerospace and Defence at Gowling WLG, said: "We are honoured to be part of DIANA Legal Connect Network and to contribute to NATO's mission of fostering innovation for a more secure and resilient future. Our goal is to help innovators navigate complex legal landscapes so they can focus on advancing technologies that contribute to the security, resilience, and prosperity of NATO member states."
DIANA Legal Connect Network aims to build a sustainable, collaborative legal network that empowers innovators to succeed in both commercial and defence markets. With over 115 alumni innovators and more than 150 new participants joining annually, the programme is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of NATO's innovation strategy.
Gowling WLG's involvement reflects its long-standing commitment to supporting cutting-edge technology, international collaboration, and responsible innovation.