Defence, then beyond

Unlocking defence potential for new growth

Latest Impact Stories

The Technology and Growth Alliance is a movement

Silhouette of spy drone (UAV) flying over the clouds at sunset.

We are living in a period of geopolitical turmoil. Defence, resilience and innovation are agenda toppers.

But this is not just about bringing new innovation in. It is about unlocking what already exists within defence and taking it beyond. To drive growth, strengthen supply chains, and create wider economic impact.

“The truth is, we haven’t always translated benefits for national security into benefits for wider society. To ensure those breakthroughs are used to power new industries and create new jobs, we’re launching the Technology and Growth Alliance, convened by Ploughshare.”

The Right Honourable John Healey MP
Former Secretary of State for Defence (DSEL, 2026)

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I'm delighted that the Alliance will support the accelerated development of commercial opportunities from technology originally created through defence-related research to be adapted for other uses to maximise the return on investment.

Professor Andy Bell
Chief Science and Technology Officer, Dstl
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Accelerating technology adoption will be pivotal to our ability to deliver innovation, security and prosperity, and I look forward to working with the Alliance to deliver on these goals.

Kevin Craven
CEO, ADS Group
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We’re delighted to work with The Technology and Growth Alliance, where we’ll share our experience of finding novel alternate uses for existing IP. The defence industry is highly innovative and many inventions made in our sector have wider applications.

Robert Merryweather
Group Technology Director, BAE Systems
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We must ensure additional defence spending supports the UK’s growth mission with lasting impact on our productivity and innovation. Capitalising on innovation that’s already happening within the defence sector for the benefit of wider society can only happen when we all work together.

Rain Newton-Smith
Chief Executive, CBI
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Defence has long had a history of leading R&D and delivering the innovations we rely on today. We must now re-imagine how we might unlock critical IP to connect it with our world-class talent, access to capital and most difficult challenges.  The Technology and Growth Alliance will play this crucial role, and the UK DIN is excited to represent investors in this capacity.

Ali Hawks Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Defence Investor Network
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We are delighted to support and be a part of TAG. In the current environment, there is nothing more important than bringing together and mobilising the whole eco-system to realise enhanced security and economic growth.

Robin MacKenzie
Managing Director, The D Group
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Connected Ecosystem

The TAG Alliance is building a connected ecosystem where

defence innovation

Defence innovators

Generate and develop high-value innovations and IP, creating pathways to real-world impact in defence and beyond

one

Cross-sector partners

Apply and scale defence-origin innovation across commercial and societal challenges

two

Investors

Back ventures built on defence-origin innovation and underutilised IP with potential to scale

three

Entrepreneurs

Build and grow ventures from established technologies and untapped ideas

What we do

We are at the start of this journey, but our ambition is clear. Get more defence-origin innovation into market, at scale, delivering real-world impact

TAG Alliance Icon Set Convening

We share best practice and experiences to unlock progress

Convene

TAG Alliance Icon Set Connecting need to solution

We align real-world demand with breakthrough capability

Connect

TAG Alliance Icon Set Galvanising senior level commitment

We build the leadership mandate for dual-use growth

Galvanise

TAG Alliance Icon Set Shared acceleration capability

We work to strengthen the system to deliver at scale

Share

Impact areas

Applying defence technology to real-world challenges, for business or societal benefit

TAG Sector AI, data and decision support

AI, data and decision support

Control rooms, analysts, operations dashboards, industrial monitoring, software-led environments

TAG Sector Cyber and secure communications

Cyber and secure communications

Fibre networks, satellite links, secure infrastructure, resilient communications, data centres, connected systems

TAG Sector Autonomy and robotics

Autonomy and robotics

Drones used for inspection, mapping, surveying, logistics or offshore work; autonomous platforms in practical civilian environments

TAG Sector Space and sensing

Space and sensing

Satellites, earth observation, antennae, geospatial imagery, monitoring infrastructure, situational awareness

TAG Sector Energy, infrastructure and resilience

Energy, infrastructure and resilience

Grid infrastructure, advanced power systems, offshore energy, batteries, remote operations, critical infrastructure

TAG Sector Human systems biotech applied science

Human systems / biotech / applied science

Labs, diagnostics, advanced testing, wearables, human-machine interaction, precision equipment

Impact

The impact we make together

IP and Innovations

More IP and innovations successfully reach the market through spin-outs, licensing and new ventures

Unlocking Value

We unlock the value of investments already made but not yet realised

We bring more impact

together

“We are sitting on a goldmine of technology that can transform the world around us, but we’ve traditionally struggled to get these solutions out of defence and into the wider world. The Alliance aims to be the catalyst that releases the full potential of defence-born technologies, ensuring innovation spills over into society, boosts the economy, and supports services like the NHS. At present, barely a handful of spin-outs emerge from defence IP, but with so much cutting-edge work happening in UK firms, there’s no reason we shouldn’t see 20 to 30 new companies launched annually.

We’re delighted to have our founding members on board, they play a vital role in sharing their expertise and shaping the direction of this movement. We must now call on more private companies, investors, academic institutions and research organisations to join. If you believe in the power of innovation to transform industries, communities and global markets, we want you with us.”

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton
CEO, Ploughshare

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Our latest news and media

The TAG Alliance delivers greater growth from defence research by working together, rather than working alone

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Explore what we do

Discover how the TAG Alliance turns bold questions into real momentum. From first conversation to lasting outcome, this is where serious capability finds the mission it’s been looking for.

Learn about what we do